Acanthurus pyroferus was first formally described in 1834 by the Prussian explorer and naturalist Heinrich von Kittlitz with its type locality given as Uléa in the Caroline Islands.

[4] Acanthurus pyroferus has the specific name pyroferus, which means "firebearer", this is thought to be a reference to the orange colour (described as saffron by Kittlitz) to the rear of the gill slit and above the pectoral fin.

[2] The overall colour of this fish's body is yellowish brown with a white band around its mouth.

There is a band of dark colour running from the chin to the upper margin of the operculum with a patch of orange coloration around the base of the pectoral fin.

[2]Acanthurus pyroferus juveniles mimic Centropyge flavissima in the central and eastern islands of the South Pacific, but in the western Pacific, such as Palau where this species is absent, they mimic C. vrolikii.