Rüppell's D. rivulatus is now treated as a synonym of G. grandoculis and is the type species of the genus Gymnocranius.

The family Lethrinidae is classified by the 5th edition of Fishes of the World as belonging to the order Spariformes.

[6] Gymnocranius grandoculis has an oblong body that has a depth which fits into its standard length around two and a half times.

[7] The overall colour is golden brown to yellowish with wavy blue lines and spots on the head in front of the eye, the cheek and the operculum.

It is used as bait in tuna fisheries in the Philippines and is taken as bycatch on the Great Barrier Reef.