The species name originates from the Ancient Greek βασιλεύς (basileus), meaning "king", referencing its immense size.

The only bowfin relative known to rival it in size was the slightly smaller Late Cretaceous amiid Melvius.

[1] It is known from a holotype comprising nearly complete skull with a partial skeleton found in the Fort Union Formation in Montana, USA.

This specimen was previously assigned to the species Amia uintaensis, a taxon now considered a nomen vanum.

[1] A. basiloides inhabited a subtropical freshwater swamp habitat in the interior of the North American continent.