Juveniles and semi-adult scats
Photos © Sean Evans
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| Common name: | Scat, Common/Spotted scat, Green scat, Red scat, Argusfish |
| Scientific name: | Scatophagus argus |
| Synonyms: | Chaetodon argus (not valid). |
| Size: | Reported up to 12" (30cm), but usually quite a bit smaller in aquaria. |
| Origin: | Indo-Pacific region. |
| Tank setup: | A large brackish tank (80 gallons/360 litres plus advisable for a shoal of adults) with plenty of open swimming space.
Branches, roots or bogwood can be used for decor, along with plastic plants if desired. |
| Compatibility: | Semi-aggressive towards its own kind, and is therefore best kept in a group of 5-6 or more to spread out
the aggression. Generally ok with other similar sized brackish fishes such as Monos. Avoid keeping with delicate fish as they can be quite boisterous. |
| Temperature: | 23-28oC (73-82oF) |
| Water chemistry: | Maintain in brackish conditions. Juveniles are often sold in fresh or slightly salted water, but
high-end brackish or marine conditions are preferable for adults. |
| Feeding: | Omnivorous, eats literally anything, so provide a varied diet including plenty of vegetable matter. Will eat live plants. |
| Sexing: | Unknown |
| Breeding: | Unknown, but only likely to occur in heavy brackish or marine conditions. |
| Comments: |
Two colour forms of this species occur, known as the Green and Red scat. The red scat has been known as Scatophagus argus atromaculatus and
Scatophagus "rubrifrons", but it is not officially recognised as a separate species or subspecies.
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