Daphnellinae: Shell very variable in shape and size, from buccinoid to ovate or to elongate-fusiform or high-cylindrical and from about 2 to over 140 mm high. Sculpture variously developed: from nearly smooth shell to well-developed spiral and axial elements, subsutural ramp, when separated from rest of the whorl, usually smooth or with traces of anal sinus growth. Apertura armature rarely well expressed, inner lip usually smooth. Anal sinus either subsutural, shaped as a reversed-L or on subsutural ramp, asymmetric, very shallow to rather deep, typically not constrained but sometimes even almost tubular. Siphon short to rather long. Protoconch typically planktotrophic, multispiral, of 2.5 - 6.5 whorls, protoconch I often spirally striated, protoconch II with diagonally cancellated sculpture. There are many variations of the basic pattern of the protoconch II sculpture, though a combination of spiral and axial elements is retained, with the latter usually more pronounced, but protoconchs with a spiral keel and axial pillars depart from this pattern. Paucispiral protoconch with predominantly spiral striation. No operculum. Radula of hypodermic marginal teeth of very variable morphology. Teeth can be relatively very long (to 12.8% of shell length in Daphnella cladara) to very short and reduced (0.13% of shell length in Spergo fusiformis). Solid base of the teeth from very small to rather large, sometimes side projections around the base are present. Barb(s) present or absent. At least in one species cockscombshaped structure is present near the tooth tip. Tooth canal opening laterally or subapically. Reduction in radular apparatus and other structures of the anterior foregut is frequent, grading to complete absence.

Daphnellinae: This is the largest and most variable taxon in the Conoidea, as concerns the number of species, with the largest vertical range (intertidal to hadal depths).