Cladocerans in this family tend to be planktonic. Daphnid body is encased by a pair of transparent valves. The carapace and head are laterally compressed. A tail spine is often, but not always, developed at the dorso-posterior corner of the valve, with spine or spinules on it. Ventral and dorsal margins of valves have small spines or spinules. In anterior view, headshield on either side of the head dorsal and anterior to the insertion of the antennae is called fornix. The fornix may be rounded, acutely angled or form a sharp spine. Head shape can vary considerably either through anterior or dorsal extensions in overall size, or these areas being extended as flanges, flattened crests, or as spines or teeth. The compound eye is large, and ocellus is present. Antennules are very short, covered by rostrum. Rostrum shape and its development relative to the antennules are important characters in identifying taxa. Antennules of males strongly developed, with long apical setae. Antenna has two branches, one of the 4–5 setae and another one of 4 setae. Six pairs of thoracic limbs. Limb I of males have copulatory hook and elongated setae (Benzie, 2005; Tiang-nga, 2019).

สกุล Ceriodaphnia
สกุล Daphnia
สกุล Scapholeberis
สกุล Simocephalus

    

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