The streaked spinefoot was first formally described in 1766 as Teuthis javus by Carl Linnaeus with the type locality given as being near Java in Indonesia.

There are a large number of small white spots on the head and upper body, irregular sinuous stripes on the mid to lower flanks and a blackish area covering the majority of the caudal fin.

[6] The streaked spinefoot is found from the Persian Gulf west to the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, north to the Taiwan and south to northern Australia.

[7] There is a single record from the Mediterranean Sea, an individual was caught of Syria in 2009 but the origin of this specimen is not known.

[2] The streaked spinefoot has grooves in the spines of the dorsal, anal and pelvic fins which contain venom glands.