Eunicids are among some of the largest polychaetes. They often inhabit rocky or gravely substrata. Some eunicids form tubes while others burrow. They are carnivores or omnivores and are armed with a complex set of jaws. They are common in tropical seas.
The presence and number of antennae on the prostomium are important generic level characters, as are the presence or absence of branchiae. The form and distribution of branchiae are used for species descriptions. A further generic feature is the presence or absence of peristomial cirri. Eunicids lack notopodia although a dorsal cirrus is usually present. The form, distribution and type of chaetae are used both at species and generic level: the absence of sub-acicular hooks separates the genus Palola, similarly the presence and type of composite chaetae can be used in generic diagnosis. The form of the various elements of the jaws, their shape and the number of teeth on the maxillae are important species characters. Many of the characters at species level only develop in larger individuals and so for reliable identification it may be necessary to examine a range of specimens.
Eunicids are distinctive worms not easily confused with other families, with the exception of other eunicomorphs, i.e. the Onuphidae, Lumbrineridae and Dorvillidae.
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