[1] This family consists of multiple genera (more than one genus) and various species which are found among the ocean floor.

As of the year 2000, the order Scleractinia was divided into 18 artificial families, known as the Acroporidae, Astrocoeniidae, Pocilloporidae, Euphyllidae, Oculinidae, Meandrinidae, Siderastreidae, Agariciidae, Fungiidae, Rhizangiidae, Pectiniidae, Merulinidae, Dendrophylliidae, Caryophylliidae, Mussidae, Faviidae, Trachyphylliidae, and Poritidae (sensu Veron 2000).

[6] Euphylliidae inherits its body structure and size through Scleractinia:[7] Colonies are phaceloid, meandroid or flabello-meandroid, with large, solid and widely spaced septo-costae which have little or no ornamentation.

[5][9] While most hard corals are best identified by looking at details of their skeleton, members of the family Euphyllidae are more easily told apart by looking at the structure of their tentacles.

Because of this cycle of growth, death, and regeneration among individual polyps, many coral colonies can live for a very long time.

[11] Euphylliid corals are benthic and sessile organisms, remaining on the sea floor through all stages of life.

[12] "Polyp activity in passive suspension feeders has been considered to be affected by several environmental factors such as hydrodynamics, water temperature and food concentration.

Reasons for this concern rely on environmental issues such as increased sea surface temperature, ocean acidification, and overfishing for the marine aquarium trade.

Many species prefer fringing reef crests, mid-slope terraces, and lagoons at depths of about 2 to 25 meters.

Most of these species are broadcast spawners, releasing massive numbers of eggs and sperm into the water to distribute their offspring over a broad geographic area.

Large numbers of planulae are produced to compensate for the many hazards, such as predators, that they encounter as they are carried by water currents.

"[14] "Planulae swim upward toward the light (exhibiting positive phototaxis), entering the surface waters and being transported by the current.