[5] S. maderensisexhibits many similar characteristics to other Scorpaena, such as spiny fins and a reddish-brown splotched color but there is a lack of sufficient specific information.

[7] The Madeira rockfish inhabits the littoral rocky coastal waters of the northwestern coast of Africa, the Mediterranean Sea and islands in the eastern Atlantic.

[8][9] S. maderensis is considered crypotbenthic, which describes fish that are benthic (living on in or on the seafloor) and cryptic (hiding in crevices or camouflaged).

[9] This discrepancy is due to lack of data collected on S. maderensis, making it difficult to pinpoint a concrete depth range.

[2][9] The Madeira rockfish feeds primarily on benthic and epibenthic crustaceans (decapods, amphipods and isopods), while sometimes consuming algae, gastropods, polychaetes and other fishes.