Fishflies lay their eggs upon vegetation overhanging streams, whence the larvae, as soon as hatched, drop into the water, and go about preying upon aquatic animals.

When ready to transform to pupae, they crawl out upon the bank and are then found in cavities under stones or even under the bark of trees.

They will eat aquatic plants as well as small animals including vertebrates like minnows and tadpoles, and may live up to seven days as adults.

The New World genera include Dysmicohermes, Orohermes, Neohermes, Nothochauliodes, Protochauliodes, Archichauliodes, Chauliodes and Nigronia.

Three genera are endemic to the Afrotropical Realm and are found in Madagascar and South Africa - Platychauliodes, Madachauliodes and Taeniochauliodes.