Scat

Common name/s: Scat, Argus fish

Scientific name: Scatophagus Argus argus; sub species Scatophagus atromaculatus

Family: Scatophagidae

Origin: Brackish and costal marine areas of the Indian and Pacific oceans

Maximum size: 12"

Care: Although juviniles are often sold in freshwater the fish is a brackish/marine fish that should be kept at a SG of atleast 1.010 and this should be raised as the fish matures, wild adults live almost entirely in the sea. The fish is a schooling species that should be kept in groups of at least 3 which means due to the large adult size a tank of at least 75 gallons is recomended. Scats are highly sensative to nitrite and should only be added to well established mature tanks. Although wild scats are mainly herbivors in a captive enviroment they will eat anything including smaller fish so tankmates must be over 3 inches. The tanks temperature should be maintained between 20c and 28c.

Feeding: Vegetable foods such as lettuce and spinnach are preffered though adult scats will eat almost anything

Sexing: Cannot be sexed

Breeding: Unknown

Notes: The red scat Scatophagus atromaculatus is a sub species of Scatophagus argus argus although all care and size information is correct for both species.

 

red scat, Scatophagus atromaculatus