WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Scatty

Scatophagus tetracanthus

Also known as: African Banded Scat, African Scat, Banded Scat, Ruby Scat, Striped Scat, Tiger Scat

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2017
VenomousKeep your distance
Adult
@SajjadOmar · Kilimanjaro, Tanzania · October 20121 / 2
01

Overview

Found in small schools, in murky shallow waters, of estuaries, harbours, lagoons and rivers.
Juveniles usually found in freshwater rivers.

These are small fish that are often found in the aquarium trade.
They can live in fresh water but prefer murky salty waters.
Their name Scatophagus means "faeces eater" because they sometimes eat human faeces!

02

How to identify

Pattern
stripes
Behaviour
schooling

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Indo-West Pacific
  • Country only · 2
LIVES IN

Found in small schools, in murky shallow waters, of estuaries, harbours, lagoons and rivers.

04

Adult photos 2

05

Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumChordata
    3. classTeleostei
    4. orderAcanthuriformes
    5. familyScatophagidae
    6. genusScatophagus
    7. speciesScatophagus tetracanthus (Lacepède, 1802)

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Acanthuriformes