[3] Scorpaena guttata was first formally described in 1854 by the French biologist Charles Frédéric Girard with the type locality given as Monterey, California.

[1] It does not necessarily stay in one territory; mark and recapture experiments observed individuals traveling up to 200 kilometres (120 mi), with one moving from near Santa Cruz Island in the Channel Islands to Long Beach over the course of about 14 months.

[1] Juvenile crabs are strongly favored, especially during fall and winter, when they make up the bulk of the diet.

Fish species consumed include Californian anchovy (Engraulis mordax) and spotted cusk-eel (Chilara taylori).

Initially colorless and transparent, the mass eventually turns cloudy white as it floats.

[10] Spawning likely takes place around dawn; the fish has been observed congregating daily at this time at the surface of the water during the breeding season.

Once called "one of the most noxious marine animals in California waters,"[11] this fish has been responsible for many human injuries.

A spine prick to the finger was reported to cause a severe, throbbing pain and cyanosis of the digit, which became swollen and hard, then hot and red, then numb.

Systemic symptoms included nausea and a feeling of faintness, and the skin was cool, clammy, and pale.

[11][13] The venom is cardiotoxic, in laboratory studies producing fluctuations in blood pressure and EKG changes such as ventricular tachycardia and bundle branch block.

The catch is sold to fish processors and to the public; it is sought after in some Asian communities in Southern California.