[3] The black scorpionfish was first formally described in 1758 by Carl Linnaeus in the 10th edition of his Systema Naturae in which he gave the type localities as the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.

However, it may reference the belief, originating with Athenaeus who said that he observed this species eating algae or weed and this was mistranslated in the Renaissance as "mud".

The colour of this fish is generally brownish and there is a dark pigmented spot between the eighth and ninth dorsal spines.

Its range extends southwards from the southern half of the British Isles to the Azores, the Canary Islands and the northwestern coast of Africa.

[7] Little is known about its reproduction,[7] it is oviparous and the females lay eggs that are enclosed in a transparent, mucous mass; some time between July and August.