Silver Scat Questions

[Scatta]

I have two Silver Scats (Selenotoca multifasciata) and was wondering if anyone could answer the following questions;

1) Is there any plant that a Scat won't eat?! I would like to add plants to my current, barren set-up, but can't due to the lawnmower-like habits of the Scats!

2) Is Java Fern (Microsorum pteropus) really poisonous to Scats? I have read before that this is the case, but was never sure if it was a myth of sorts.

3) Is there any way to control aggression between two Scats? In hindsight, I realise that buying two Scats (rather than a shoal), probably wasn't the best idea. When they were younger, they were the best of chums, but they are now around 12.5cm (5") in length and I noticed yesterday, that one of them was going mad and attacking everything that came near it (mainly the other Scat and my Monos).

Thanks to anyone that can help!

 

[black molly3]

i know this will not help but as a matter of fact i was hoping to get 1 scat today but my lfs never had any in.
what do they eat. can you give me any info on them also i was going to get a mono do they get on with
scats bumble bee gobies and 1 algea eating shrimp
thanks
in advance
black molly3

 

[Scatta]

Well, Scats and Monos (all varieties) are shoaling fish, so they will need to be kept in groups, which can cause problems due to their adult sizes (25cm+). They eat pretty much anything (I believe the English translation of the Latin, "Scatophagus", is "dung-eater" or something along those lines), but a large amount of vegetation should be included in their diet. I feed mine of JBL NovoRift sticks, varous frozen foods (including Bloodworm and Mussels) and cucumber.

I'm not sure if Scats or Monos get along with shrimps, as I think various inverts make up a part of their natural diets in the wild. The Bumblebee Gobies will probably dissapear down the Scats throats when they get larger, too.

 

[black molly3]

lol ok thanks anyway

 

[nmonks]

1) Is there any plant that a Scat won't eat?! I would like to add plants to my current, barren set-up, but can't due to the lawnmower-like habits of the Scats!

No, they'll eat everything. Except perhaps the stems of mangroves. Best to go with plastic.

2) Is Java Fern (Microsorum pteropus) really poisonous to Scats? I have read before that this is the case, but was never sure if it was a myth of sorts.

Might be a myth, but I wouldn't risk it.

3) Is there any way to control aggression between two Scats? In hindsight, I realise that buying two Scats (rather than a shoal), probably wasn't the best idea. When they were younger, they were the best of chums, but they are now around 12.5cm (5") in length and I noticed yesterday, that one of them was going mad and attacking everything that came near it (mainly the other Scat and my Monos).

Personally, I'd suggest getting rid of the aggressive scat. They can be kept singly, especially if there are monos in the tank, as the two species seem to school together.

Cheers, Neale

 

[black molly3]

do scats do better in fresh water or brackish water?
just a quick question

 

[demonmagus]

do scats do better in fresh water or brackish water?
just a quick question

aren't they brackish fish?

 

[nmonks]

All scats are tolerant of a very wide range of salinities, though keeping them in freshwater permanently isn't recommended. Certainly keep that at least at SG 1.005, and ideally at SG 1.010-1.018. They will also do well in marine tanks, though this isn't essential.

Cheers, Neale