[4] Some authors place the genus Lethrinus in the monotypic subfamily Lethrininae, with all the other genera of Lethrinidae placed in the Monotaxinae, however, the 5th edition of Fishes of the World does not recognise the subfamilies traditionally accepted within the family Lethrinidae as valid.

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

[6] Lethrinus microdon is bluish-grey or brown in colour with pale or somewhat orange fins, and has a moderately long snout.

It forms small schools, occasionally with Lethrinus olivaceus, and has a maximum depth range of approximately 10 to 80 metres.

[7][3] It is known to be caught using gill nets, trawls, handlines, and fish traps.