[3] In 1927 Keppel Harcourt Barnard placed T. gymnoderma in the new monotypic genus Coccotropsis.

[2] The genus name is a compound of Coccotropus, a genus within the family Aploactinidae and opsis, which means "appearance", so the name means that this taxon is similar to Coccotropus but differs, among other features, in having three anal-fin spines and four anal-fin rays.

[7][8] The smoothskin scorpionfish is only found off the South African coast from the Cape Peninsula to Algoa Bay in 9–110 m. It is endemic to this region.

[7] This fish is common on reefs but is seldom spotted due to its cryptic colouring and sedentary habits.

In keeping with other members of the waspfish family, it is extremely venomous and contact should be avoided.