Species placed in this genus typically have high spires, axial sculpture on the early teleoconch whorls, a weak columellar fold, and some have a denticle on the posterior parietal wall. That being said, the type species has no posterior parietal denticle, and one of the species below has no axial sculpture. Type species (by original designation) Metanachis jaspidea (G.B. Sowerby II, 1844).

Diagnosis: Early whorls with axial sculpture, which disappears on later whorls; upper part of columella bears a denticle.