[3] In 2001 the Russian biologist Sergey Mandritsa placed this species in the monotypic genus Neoscorpaena.

The specific name honours the Danish zoologist Jørgen G. Nielsen of the Zoological Museum of Copenhagen in recognition of the assistance he gave to Smith's research.

[5] The spotfin scorpionfish has a dorsal fin which contains 12 spines and 9-10, typically 10 soft rays.

The interorbital ridges are connected at the rear to the bases of the tympanic spines and the parietal spineis absent.

[6] This species grows to a maximum recorded standard length of 21.6 cm (8.5 in).

It occurs off the eastern coast of South Africa, as well as Madagascar, Seychelles, Mauritius and Réunion.