[4][5] While they are not particularly strong swimmers, the foot of these organisms is modified into wing-like structures, called parapodia that they employ for locomotion.

[5] Additionally, like other Pteropods of the order Gymnosomata,[6] Notobrachaeidae lack shells entirely as adults.

[8] Following the trend of Pteropods in general, they tend to have the highest species diversity tropical and subtropical latitudes but are less abundant under these conditions.

[8] Conversely, they are more abundant but possess less variety in terms of species closer to the north and south poles.

[8] However, even in the tropics, they generally appear in high concentrations, resulting in their frequently playing important roles in planktonic food webs.