[2] Conchologist Joseph Verco was the first to write a description of Surcula perksi in the Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia.

The shell exhibits numerous longitudinal, wavy plicae, about as wide as the intervals between them, and slightly lower in height, rounded, with around 25 on the penultimate whorl.

The body whorl is slightly inflated and contracts toward the base, with the upper part having similar sculpturing to the spire.

These plicae fade toward the extreme base, becoming more crowded and less distinct near the aperture, and are cut by irregular transverse striae, which alternate between larger and smaller sizes.

Finer spiral lines of spots can be seen on alternating rows of costal granules, extending over the body whorl to the base.