[1] Rhinopias argoliba was first formally described in 1973 by William N. Eschmeyer, Yoshitsugu Hirosake and Tokiharu Abe with the type locality given as off Izu Ocean Park in Sagami Bay in Japan.

There is also a white spot on the upper flank above the posterior margin of the pectoral fin.

Compared to its congeners this species has a low dorsal fin and fewer flaps and tentacles on its skin.

It was originally only recorded from southern Japan, its type locality,[1] but more recently it has been found in the Coral Sea off Australia.

[1] Rhinopias argoliba, like other scorpionfishes, is predatory, feeding on small fishes and crustaceans.