[3] The genus Chrysoblephus is placed in the family Sparidae within the order Spariformes by the 5th edition of Fishes of the World.

[4] Chrysoblephus lophus has the specific namelophus which means "crested", an allusion to the high nape in adult males of this species.

It has a deep and compressed body with a blunt snout and a steep, almost vertical, dorsal profile to the head.

It a little bulbous from above the upper lip to the area between the eyes which is bony and corrugated and which becomes rougher as the fish ages.

[2] Chrysoblephus lophus is endemic to the southwestern Indian Ocean off the coast of Southern Africa.