Scatophagidae
From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer
Scatophagus argus, Spotted Scat (green form). JJPhoto.dk
[edit] Overview
Commonly known as Scats, these big but peaceful schooling fish are much appreciated for their friendly, outgoing personalities.
Found in estuaries, mangroves, harbours and other coastal habitats.
Their family name means in "dung (scat) eaters" and is explained by their habit of consuming feces of other fishes and even human wastes in the wild. (Such fare is not required to maintain them in the aquarium.)
They often sold as cute juveniles to freshwater aquarists, but they demand brackish-water conditions and may outgrow small aquaria. They may be kept in full-strength saltwater as well.
BioGroup:
Native range:
Taxonomic rank: Family
Common name: SCATS
| Total known | Total profiles | |
|---|---|---|
| Subfamilies | 0 | 0 |
| Genera | 2 | 2 |
| Species | 4 | 1 |
Captive care: Need brackish water or full saltwater to thrive.
Feeding: Scats are omnivores. Will eat almost anything, but needs lots of green foods to stay healthy. Spirulina flake and other herbivore foods make a good staple, augmented with sushi Nori, blanched curly lettuce, chopped spinach, thinly sliced cucumber, etc. Filamentous algae is eaten with gusto!
Supplement these green foods with chopped seafood and frozen foods such as bloodworms and krill.Detritivores. Omnivore. Will eat almost anything, but needs lots of green foods to stay healthy. Spirulina flake and other herbivore foods make a good staple, augmented with Sushi Nori, blanched curly lettuce, chopped spinach, thinly sliced cucumber, etc. Filamentous algae is eaten with gusto!
Supplement these green foods with chopped seafood and frozen foods such as bloodworms and krill.
[edit] Subfamilies
none
[edit] Genera
[edit] Species
| Biogroup-Organism | Brackishwater Fishes +, and Marine Fishes + |
| Common name | SCATS + |
| Family taxonomic rank | Family + |
| Image credit | JJ + |
| Native range | Indo-Pacific + |
| Reference | Brackish Water Fishes + |
| Text credit | NM + |