Dastilbe could reach a length of 25–60 millimetres (0.98–2.36 in), with a maximum length of about 150 millimetres (5.9 in). It was probably an anadromous fish, tolerant of hypersalinity and subjected to frequent mass mortality. Larger individuals of this predatory fish fed on small fishes and probably they were also cannibalistic.[2]
Dastilbe was a primitive gonorynchiform fish widespread in Gondwanaland. Fossils of this fish have been found in the Aptian stage of the Lower Cretaceous Cabo, Codo and Crato Formations of northeastern Brazil and in the Lower Cretaceous of Africa.[3][2]
The type species Dastilbe crandalli was described by the American ichthyologist David Starr Jordan from specimens collected in Brazil, up to four species have been suggested as comprising Dastilbe but other authorities have suggested that the genus is monotypic, comprising a single phenotypically plastic species D. crandalli.[2]