[1] Closteriopsis is currently placed in the family Chlorellaceae, based on molecular data, although it is similar in morphology to Selenastraceae and was formerly placed there.

[1] Most sources describe Closteriopsis as lacking a mucilaginous envelope, although it has been documented in one species.

Reproduction occurs asexually by the formation of two to eight autospores, which form in a series and are released through the rupture of the parental cell wall.

[1] Closteriopsis is similar to other narrow, spindle-shaped organisms such as Keratococcus, Schroederia and Monoraphidium, and differs from them in having multiple pyrenoids per chloroplast.

[1][4] It is also similar to some acicular species of Closterium (hence the name), from which it is distinguished by having only one chloroplast and reproducing by autospores.