It is a fairly common genus, usually found along the coasts of Northwestern Europe, but with some species like semisquamata appearing around West Africa.

[3] One study found that due to the increased calcification that Acrocnida brachiata causes could be a potential source of Carbon Dioxide for not only the warm, shallow environments they live in, but also for the atmosphere.

Acrocnida members generally prefer the sandy bottoms (specifically fine or muddy sand)[6] of shallow coastal zones for their habitats.

[13] Acrocnida follows the body plan of other Amphiuridae, as they possess central disks surrounded by five long, thin arms.

Looking at Acrocnida brachiata, gonads begin forming in late Summer and Autumn, with the spawning taking place within a range of March to May.

This size places Acrocnida with an "intermediate level of fecundity"[17] and a larval development similar to other genera of sea stars.