[3] This taxon was regarded as a synonym of Monotaxis grandoculis but is now considered to be a valid species.

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

[5] Monotaxis heterodon has the specific name heterodon which means "different teeth" which was an allusion to the single row of molar teeth compared to the 2 or 3 rows of Pagrus, the genus Bleeker placed it in.

[6] Monotaxis heterodon differs from M. grandoculis, with which it used to be considered synonymous, by having 18 rather than 19 transverse scale rows on the cheek.

[4] It is an overall sovery greyish colour on the body, broken by the thin white vertical bars along the back, these are only one or two scale rows wide (3-4 on M. grandocularis).