[3] There are currently 4 recognized species in this genus:[4] A sea toad photographed at a depth of 3,148 m (10,328 ft) by a Remotely operated underwater vehicle from the NOAAS Okeanos Explorer on the "Beach Ridge" seamount in the Musicians Seamounts on 8 September 2017 was brighter red than C. coloratus with larger cirri and the prickles on its back were smaller or absent compared to C. coloratus.

[11] Chaunacops sea toads are characterized as having globose heads, open sensory and lateral line canals, and loose skin covered by small spine-like scales.

There is a single dorsal spine, the illicium, or "fishing rod", tipped with the esca, or "lure", made up of a dense, mop-like cluster of short filaments.

A paper published in 2015 stated that a newly identified species in genus Chaunacops was found off the coasts of Australia and New Caledonia.

[8] Chaunacops sea toads are typically found at deeper depths than Chaunax, but with considerable overlap between the two genera.

[15] Chaunacops sea toad, like other anglerfishes, are ambush predators which use the illicium and esca to attract prey to within striking distance of their large mouths.