Some species are chemolithotrophic and use inorganic materials to obtain energy and use hydrogen as their electron donor.

Desulfofaba are straight or slightly curved rods that range in size from 0.8 to 2.1 x 3.2-6.1 μm.

Genus and species of Desulfobacteraceae may only be definitively distinguished by analysis of 16S rDNA sequences, but certain genera may be determined through physiological characteristics alone.

Desulfofrigus displays an optimal growth rate at very low temperatures compared to other sulfate reducing bacteria.

They may be found trapped within ice, floating within the water column, or living on or in other organisms such as sea sponges.