[1] The 5th edition of Fishes of the World classifies the Lobotidae within the order Spariformes and provisionally includes the genus Datnioides in the family.

[3] However, yet more workers place these three taxa in monotypic families within the order Lobotiformes in the series Eupercaria.

The dorsal fins are supported by a total of 12 spines and 15 or 16 soft rays.

[2] The maximum size of these fishes varies from a standard length of 32 cm (13 in) for the New Guinea tiger perch (Datnioides campbelli) to a total length of 110 cm (43 in) in the Atlantic tripletail (Lobotes surinamensis).

[3] The juveniles camouflage themselves by floating on their sides and resembling fallen leaves.