The dragonflies in this family are large, usually between 2.5 and 3.5 inches in length.

Spiketails have wide heads and clear to smoky black wings. They are brown or black with yellow markings. They have large green or blue eyes that meet on the top of their heads.

Spiketails are found near rivers and streams. Female spiketails hover just above the shallow water and poke the tip of their abdomen in the water to deposit their eggs in the river or stream bottom.

Spiketail nymphs spend more than one year in the nymph stage.