The Clymene Dolphin is a deep-water, oceanic species, not often seen near shore (unless deep water occurs close to the coast). It generally occurs on or beyond the edge of the continental shelf in water depths of up to at least 5,000 m (Jefferson and Curry 2003, Weir et al. 2014). In the eastern Atlantic, Weir et al. (2014) compiled 89 sightings in water depths ranging from 437 to 5,000 m and at distances from shore of 20.6 to 937.4 km. Clymene Dolphins often occur in schools of dozens to about a thousand animals (Weir et al. 2014), and they are active bow-riders (this makes them vulnerable to harpooning).

Very few stomachs have been examined, and even fewer observations of feeding behaviour are reported in the literature. Clymene Dolphins apparently feed predominantly on small fish (including myctophids) and squid at moderate depths (Jefferson and Curry 2003; Jefferson 2018). Little else is known of their ecology, and this species remains one of the most poorly known of all delphinids (Weir et al. 2014).

The Clymene Dolphin is listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. No specific conservation measures directed toward Clymene Dolphins are known to be in place.

Further research should be conducted on population structure, abundance and removals, especially in West African waters, where in some cases bycatch has evolved into directed take.