See list of synonyms Phasianotrochus eximius, common name the kelp shell or true kelp, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Trochidae, the top snails.

The imperforate, solid, rather thick shell has an elongated-conical shape.

The color of the shell is brown, fawn-color or rosy, with widely spaced light or dark narrow spiral lines, usually four in number on the penultimate whorl.

The surface is microscopically spirally densely striate.

The ovate aperture slightly exceeds one-third the total length.