[2][3] Argyrosomus hololepidotus was first formally described as Labrus hololepidotus in 1801 by the French naturalist Bernard Germain de Lacépède with its type locality given as "Grand Océan équatorial", considered to be Fort Dauphin in southeastern Madagascar.

The fold in the axillary of the pectoral fin is naked and the part of the lateral line near the head is moderately curved.

[2] Argyrosomus hololepidotus is considered to be endemic to the waters off eastern Madagascar, where it is most numerous in the southeast.

[1] They occur in the lower reaches of rivers, estuaries, on rocky reefs, off ocean beaches and on the continental shelf as deep as 150 m (490 ft).

[2] Argyrosomus hololepidotus is targeted by artisanal fishermen with dugout canoes and handlines at depths between 20 and 40 m (66 and 131 ft) and in estuaries with nets.