Prionurus chrysurus was first formally described in 2001 by the American ichthyologist John Ernest Randall with its type locality given as “the blue lagoon” at Padang Bai on Bali.

[4] Prionurus chrysurus is a distinctive species within the genus Prionurus, the dorsal fin is supported by 9 spines and 23 soft rays, the anal fin contains 3 spines and 22 soft rays.

The overall colour is brown, with thin vermillion bars on the flanks and a yellow caudal fin.

[6] Prionurus chrysurus is found in the Western Pacific Ocean where it is known only from Indonesia.

It has been postulated that it is a glacial relict which had a wider distribution in a period off global cooler temperatures.