Korotnevella is a genus of small to medium-sized, "naked" amoebae with dactylopodia (more or less fingerlike pseudopodia). The species have been found in marine and freshwater environments in the northern hemisphere, though they are probably distributed worldwide. O'Kelly et al. (2001) recognized six species. All are free-living, feeding on bacteria and protists.

Korotnevella amoebae are distinguished by the presence of one or more layers of non-mineralized scales on the cell surface. These scales are usually not visible with the light microscope, because they are too small and delicate. The electron microscope is needed to view and study them. Scales of similar construction are found in some species within the genus Paramoeba, but the Korotnevella species do not have the "parasome" structure which is characteristic of Paramoeba species.