[6] Rhabdosargus holubi belongs to the genus Rhabdosargus, a name which is a refixes rhabdos, meaning "stick" or "rod", an allusion to the yellow abdominal band of Sargus auriventris, its type species, to Sargos, a name used for Sparid fish in ancient Greek at least as long ago as Aristotle but in this case is a reference to Sargus as a synonym of Diplodus.

The specific name, holubi, honours the collector of the type, Emil Holub who was a Czech physician, cartographer and ethnographer.

[9] Rhabdosargus holubi is a marine fish,[2] with adults mainly living in the ocean and juveniles developing in estuaries.

[9] Many estuaries of the southeastern African coast are not permanently open, but become blocked by shoals built up by tides and wind.

[11] Within the estuary, the juveniles dwell in eelgrass beds, a habitat where they find protection and a food supply.

[12] Rhabdosargus holubi is, according to some sources, a desirable food fish,[2] others report that fishermen are not interested in it because it is too small.