Like other apostomes, they are symbiotic with Crustacea, and live in microbial cysts on their host's exoskeleton for most of their life.

They only feed on the exuvial fluids trapped in the host's cast-off exoskeleton.

Metamorphosis changes the body shape, organization, and physiology of the phoront to allow for rapid ingestion and storage of large amounts of food.

Exuviotrophic phoronts can remain dormant for months after encysting and only metamorphose immediately before their hosts molt their exoskeleton.

After the protozoa excysts and feeds, it becomes swollen to thirty times its initial volume.