Shell small, lenticular, chestnut brown; of 3,5 nearly flat whorls, one of which is nuclear and smooth. Suture inconspicuous. Sculpture on upper side of whorls consists of strong spiral equally spaced cords, crossed by fainter axial ribbing. The two spiral cords at the periphery are stronger, separated by a deeper sutural channel. The axial ribs at the periphery grow stronger and cut the two heavy cords into a series of beads. On the base, the axial riblets are cut by three spiral grooves, at the second of which the axial riblets converge forming a heavier series of beads and at the third groove a further convergence forming a stronger series of beads around the large deep umbilicus. Aperture subcircular, peristome rendered sinuous by the spiral sculpture; parietal wall covered by a thin callus. Height 3 mm., diameter 5.8 mm. ,This shell belongs in the same group as Heliacus panamensis Bartsch. It is over twice the size- of that species, and has different sculpture. Mazatlan, Mexico (Lowe, 1930)

Very small to small, rounded lens-shaped shell with double keel, shallow suture and wide umbilicus; upper-side sculpture of 4 almost identical ribs with more or less rounded nodules; rounded double keel formed by 2 ribs, upper of which is somewhat stronger; basal sculpture of 5 spiral ribs, with the rib next to the innermost the widest; umbilical side of columellar wall with 1 strong spiral projection. Brown with pattern of blotches on lighter-colored keel-forming ribs, midribs and outer basal ribs lighter. Protoconch diameter 0.70-0.86 mm, distincdy heterostrophic, with anal keel.
Teleoconch: very small to small, diameter of specimens in collections usually about 5 at ca. 2 1/2 whorls (SD rarely up to 10). Shape: rounded lens-shaped with prominent double keel and wide umbilicus (UD about 28% SD). Sculpture: Upper side: SSR and UPR usually somewhat stronger than 2 MR, with ± rounded nodules; Periphery: rounded double keel formed by LPR and IPR, with LPR somewhat stronger; in large specimens with 1 additional finer rib between them; upper point of whorl attachment on LPR, suture shallow; Base: 5 spiral ribs with PUR often wider than UC, increasing in width towards umbilicus; larger specimens with one additional rib between IPR and basal ribs; UC with 14-19 nodules on body whorl; umbilical side of columellar wall with 1 strong spiral projection. Coloration: Greyish brown to red-brown, peripheral ribs whitish with brown blotches (about 1-2 nodules wide); UC always light colored; frequently, especially in eroded specimens, MR and outer basal ribs lighter colored. Protoconch: small (0.70-0.86, x = 0.79), multispiral, distinctly heterostrophic, with anal keel (about 0.26 in length); off-white with brown patch. -Periostracum: yellowish, scaly when dry. - Operculum: as described for subgenus. -Radula and Anatomy: not known. Type measurements: (holotype): SD = 5.8, H = 3.3, PD = ca.0.8 [eroded], Tw = 3, UD = 1.6.

In this genus, an anal keel on the protoconch is otherwise known only from Heliacus corallinus and H. turritus. In H. corallinus, the protoconch varix bears a callous thickening and the teleoconch has a much wider umbilicus. Members of H. turritus have high-spired teleoconchs. Heliaats sterkii, which does not have an anal keel on the protoconch, is similar in teleoconch characters, but has a deep suture and a strong additional rib at the periphery.

Geographical distribution; Eastern Pacific, from northern Gulf of California to Tumbes Province, northern Peru, and the Galapagos Islands. Type locality: "Mazatlan, Mexico" [Sinaloa State, Pacific coast]. Habitat: Records from intertidal to 136 m depth.