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Spotted scat - Scatophagus argus

Spotted scat - Scatophagus argus

Scientific name: Scatophagus argus

Common name: Spotted scat

Family: Scatophagidae

Usual size in fish tanks: 25 - 30 cm (9.84 - 11.81 inch)

014

Recommended pH range for the species: 7.5 - 8.5

Recommended water hardness (dGH): 12 - 18°N (214.29 - 321.43ppm)

0°C 32°F30°C 86°F

Recommended temperature: 22 - 28 °C (71.6 - 82.4°F)

The way how these fish reproduce: Spawning

Where the species comes from: South Asia

Temperament to its own species: aggressive/territorial

Temperament toward other fish species: aggressive/territorial

Usual place in the tank: Middle levels

Origin

The Scat can be found in estuaries and streams where fresh and salt waters come together and they can even be found in completely marine areas. This fish can be found in coastal waters from Japan to Australia.

Lifespan

The lifespan of a Spotted scat can be relatively long if all of their needs are met. A well cared for species can live between 10 and 20 years.

Short Description

The Scat can be wild caught in both fresh and brackish bodies of water. Once in the fish stores, there is no way of telling whether your Scat came from fresh or brackish water. If your fish came from fresh water there is more of a chance of it surviving in the aquarium. Most specimens come from brackish or even salt water and are more particular about their water conditions.

They are usually found in two colour morphs, the Green Scat or the Red Scat (sometimes referred to as the Ruby Scat). These fish display wonderful markings when younger, their bodies are covered with dark spots and also into their finnage but as they mature these spots may also fade.

These fish are definitely not for beginners, they require freshwater as juveniles and then need to be acclimatised slowly to brackish conditions as they mature, this needs to be done in a controlled and patient manner. They are also classed as venomous as their small spines do contain a toxin that will cause pain to humans so always take care when keeping these fish.

Due to their adult size they will require a larger aquarium to care for them properly and an excellent filtration system is required as they are extremely high waste producers, regular water changes must also be performed to keep the quality high.

They will see smaller tank mates as a food source so only keep these fish with other fish of a similar size but they are not generally aggressive towards their tank mates.

Food

The Spotted scat is the true omnivore and will eat anything of meat or veggie substance. This fish will even eat fecal matter produced by other fish. The vegetable matter included in the diet should out weigh the meaty content, for meaty foods you can use brine shrimp, chopped earthworms or chopped prawns. Vegetable matter can be supplied by offering a quality flake food high in vegetable content, nori or even chopped spinach.

Sexing

There is no known method for sexing this species without harming them.

Breeding

Little is known about the breeding habits of the Scat fish but some believe that breeding takes place in salt water and the young migrate to brackish or freshwater.

Pictures

Bought by aqua-fish.net from jjphoto.dk.

Scat, picture 1 Scat, picture 2 Scat, picture 3 Scat, picture 4 Scat, picture 5 Scat, picture 6 Scat, picture 7

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