The black and white snapper was first formally described in 1775 as Sciaena nigra by the Swedish speaking Finnish-born explorer and naturalist Peter Forsskål with the type locality given as Jeddah.

It has a convex dorsal profile of the head and a large mouth which extends back to the front of the eye.

[1] The black and white snapper are solitary as juveniles, while adults aggregate in large schools.

[1] This species is frequently confused with its congener the midnight snapper (M. macularis) with which it is known to form mixed aggregations.

[7] Black and white snapper are prized as food fish and are caught commercially, as well as recreationally.