Like other species in the same genus, Strombus pugilis has a robust, somewhat heavy and solid shell, with a characteristic stromboid notch.

The shell color varies from salmon-pink,[3] cream or yellow to light or strong orange, and the interior of the aperture is usually white.

The anterior end presents a dark purple stain,[2] which is one of the diagnostic characters of this species, and is absent in Strombus alatus.

[9] Reproduction orgies have been observed, on silty sand at 8-10 m. depth, with egg cases littering the bottom, and obvious copulation in progress across a fairly large area.

Strombus pugilis is used as a zootherapeutical product for the treatment of sexual impotence in the traditional Brazilian medicine of the Northeast region of Brazil.