Shell medium-sized (up to 80 mm in length), with seven teleoconch whorls. Protoconch of about one and one-half polished brown bulbous volutions, ending at small, sharp varix. Spiral ornamentation on first two teleoconch whorls of three rounded cords of equal strength, with fourth, weaker spiral on subsutural ramp. Numerous secondary- and tertiary spiral threads appearing on third whorl, increasing in number until body whorl and siphonal canal covered with numerous, alternating primary, secondary and tertiary cords in a complex pattern. Axial ornamentation on first two teleoconch whorls of twelve to fourteen low. rounded ribs, which, together with spiral cords, give cancellate appearance to early whorls. On third whorl every third rib strengthened into small varix, with short, closed spine at shoulder. Intermediate axial ribs remain as rounded intervarical ridges. Fourth whorl with additional ridge added at adapertural end of intervarical area. All axial ridges rapidly weakening on subsequent whorls so that on body whorl their presence indicated only by low undulations on spiral cords. Entire surface covered by myriad growth lamellae, fimbriated by spiral ornamentation giving shell shagreened surface. Three varices per whorl, each with three moderately long, straight, primary spines. Anterior lo each primary spine, a shorter secondary spine and numerous tertiary spinelets. Spination pattern complex, with (anteriorly from suture) primary (shoulder), tertiary, secondary, primary (periphery), secondary, tertiary, primary (base), secondary, secondary. Tertiary, and sometimes secondary, spines at an angle to major spines, directed adaperturally. Siphonal canal with four or five relatively short, straight, closed primary-spines with secondary spines only between two or three major spines nearest base of body whorl. Suture simple, crossed diagonally by growth lamellae. Aperture ovate; outer lip crenulated, notches developed as extension of grooves in spines, their size relative to strength of spine. Each internotch area drawn out into projection, that posterior to basal primary spine longer than others, forming small labral tooth. Notches between projections extend into aperture as elongate lirations: anal notch shallow. Inner lip appressed at posterior end; anterior two-thirds narrow, free-standing, smooth. Siphonal canal with distal end slightly deflected, terminations of previous canals fused into lube, open by narrow slit; almost entire length spinose. Colour creamy white, some specimens with area between white spiral cords tan to dark brown; tending to be darker in colour near shoulder; tips of spines frequently purplish; aperture white, with brown lirations deep inside. Operculum reddish brown to yellow; subterminal nucleus, surrounded by numerous faint concentric undulations.

The shell of Murex falsitribulus differs from all similar species of Murex s.s. in having twelve to fourteen rounded ribs on the early teleoconch whorls; only M. ternispina, with which M. falsitribulus has been confused, has the same number but that species has a concentrically foliate operculum with a subcentral nucleus, not a terminal nucleus as in M. falsitribulus. The protoconch in M. ternispina is of two whorls rather than one and one-half as in M. falsitribulus.

East to Southeast Asia. Philippines, Taiwan and Indonesia.