This species is similar to Palpiphitime lipovskyae and O. Platykephale, among others, in having branchial structures dorsally and ventrally.

Ophryotrocha craigsmithi differs from P. lipovskyae genetically, but also by the presence of a prominent ventral chaetal lobe with a bulging simple chaeta in the former.

Its prostomium has digitiform paired antennae inserted dorsally.

It possesses no eyes, its mandibles being L-shaped, counting with anterior serration.

[1] It was first found in a minke whale carcass at a depth of 125 metres (410 ft) in the Koster area in Sweden, and from sediment between 84 and 150 metres (276 and 492 ft) beneath a fish farm in Hardangerfjord in Norway.