This species has a similar colour pattern to that of Surcula fulminata but the shell is conspicuously narrower and has well developed nodulose sculpture over the spire-whorls, that on the subsutural band being prominent throughout. The protoconch differs from that of fulminata in being broadly conical, of one more whorl, and with the axis erect, not oblique.
Shell large, 60-71 mm. in height, narrowly fusiform, with tall spire of about 28 degrees, and a long, stout, rather straight anterior canal, slightly recurved at the tip. Spire whorls 12 plus a small erect broadly conical protoconch of 21/2 smooth whorls. Spire-whorls with a broadly rounded subsutural fold and a heavy, bluntly rounded, subperipheral carina, separated by a relatively narrow and deep shoulder recess. An alternation of strong spiral cords and threads cover the lower base, neck and anterior fasciole. Numerous, narrow, erect axials cross the subsutural fold and appear again as protractively oblique folds over the peripheral carina, but are obsolete elsewhere on the shell. The entire surface is smooth and polished except for dense microscopic striae and a few weak in¬cised lines over the subsutural fold and the shoulder concavity. The subsutural axials persist throughout, but those at the periphery become subobsolete to obsolete over the last 1 1/2 whorls. Sinus as in fulminata but with its apex not so deep and not so strongly protractively arcuate below; this resultant from the narrower proportions of the shell. Colour pattern of diffused protractive and retractive axial flames in reddish brown upon an ivory-white ground. The general effect is of large irregular blotches of colour. Operculum clavatulid, ovate, with a medio-lateral nucleus, as in fulminata.

Red Sea and Persian Gulf to Aden, 20 to 40 fathoms.