[1][2] The name is derived from the Latin gutta, meaning 'droplet'.

[3][4][5] The family currently contains one genera and species:[2] Genus Alphaguttavirus and species Sulfolobus newzealandicus droplet-shaped virus were removed in ICTV version 2021.

[6] Viruses in the family Guttaviridae are enveloped.

[2][3] The virons consist of a coat, a core, a nucleocapsid, and projecting fibers at the pointed end.

The surface of the virion has a beehive-like ribbed surface pattern with protrusions that are densely covered by a 'beard' of long fibers at its pointed end.