It is a suspension feeder that secretes tubes on the ocean floor.

[1][2] Unlike all other Rhabdopleura species, the zooids have black elongated arms with no tentacles.

[3] Rhabdopleura compacta occurs in Atlantic waters.

It has been found in the English Channel and the Gulf of Mexico.

[3] The reproduction and life cycle of Rhabdopleura compacta has been studied by Stebbing (1970) and Dilly (1973).