The family comprises two genera.

Species are diurnally mesopelagic, migrating into surface waters during the night.

The family is characterised by the tentacles, which have a permanent constriction and bend near the base; and photophores occurring on the tentacles, eyeballs, and viscera.

Members reach mantle lengths of 23–50 mm.

Paralarvae of the family are common around the Hawaiian Islands, with up to 17% of collected specimens in the area belonging to Pyroteuthidae.