[3] Organisms in the suborder Physonectae follow the classic Siphonophore body plan.

The nectosome is more apical relative to the siphosome and is composed of asexual nectophores, or swimming bells.

[4] Each physonect colony is composed of individual organisms originating from the same fertilized egg, with specialized functions including locomotion, feeding, and reproduction.

The siphosome is made up of groups called cormidia,  which consist of a gastrozooid with a tentacle, bracts and palpons, and the gonodentra.

[7] Like all siphonophores, physonect eggs are yolky, and act as the source of energy for their early development.

Physonectae are carnivorous predators and vary in diet depending on the local availability of prey.

In a study on the diets epipelagic siphonophores in the Gulf of California in the Sargasso Sea and in Friday Harbor, Washington, it was found that compared to other suborders of Physonectae, species in the suborder Physonectae have fewer, large gastrozooids.