Spotted Scat (Scatophagus argus) Care Guide
Scatophagus argus is a diamond-shaped brackish fish with leopard-like spots that moves to marine conditions and has venomous spines.
Overview
Scatophagus argus, the spotted scat or argus fish, is a diamond-shaped fish of the family Scatophagidae with leopard-like dark spots. It is euryhaline, moving from freshwater as fry toward saltwater as it matures, and possesses venomous spines.
Taxonomy
- Family: Scatophagidae
- Genus: Scatophagus
- Scientific name: Scatophagus argus
- Common synonyms: Spotted Scat, Argus Fish
Habitat
FishBase records the species across the Indo-Pacific from Kuwait to Fiji, north to southern Japan and south to New Caledonia. It inhabits harbours, natural embayments, brackish estuaries, mangrove areas and the lower reaches of freshwater streams, occurring in marine, brackish and freshwater conditions at depths to about 5 m. It is amphidromous.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 400 L
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 7.5-8.5
- GH: 15-30 °dGH
- Group size: keep in groups of 4 or more
- Lifespan: 8-15 years
- Water type: brackish, trending marine with age
Diet
The spotted scat is an omnivore. FishBase reports it consumes worms, crustaceans, insects and plant matter; Wikipedia notes adults from the Philippines were primarily herbivorous while juveniles prefer zooplankton. In the aquarium it accepts a varied diet with plenty of vegetable matter, fed twice daily.
Compatibility
It is a peaceful schooling fish best kept in groups. Suitable tankmates include monos and archerfish; small fish should be avoided. The species is not reliably plant-safe, as adults graze on vegetation.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2009); the species shows high resilience.