[1] Two genera are included in this family, Characiosiphon and Lobocharacium, each containing a single species.

[2] The genus Characiochloris may eventually be placed in this family pending future revisions, as it is phylogenetically closely related to the twose genera.

[3] Algae in the family Characiosiphonaceae are coenocytic, consisting of thalli attached to a substrate.

In each coenocyte, there are many separate protoplasms lining a membrane, all surrounding a central sap-filled vacuole.

[4][2] Reproduction occurs by fusiform (spindle-shaped) zoospores and spherical gametes.