Spotted Scat (Scatophagus argus)
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| Several adult Spotted Scats grazing under a pontoon along our southern shores (Photograph: By Lumin Ong) |
Family: Scatophagidae
Species Name: Scatophagus argus
Common Name(s): Spotted Scat
Common Name(s): Spotted Scat
Presence in Singapore: Native
Habitat: Coastal habitats such as estuaries, seawalls and more.
Conservation status: Least Concern (Red Data Book 3)
The only one of its kind in Singapore, the Spotted Scat is an easily recognizable fish due to its rectangular body covered in spots and steep, slanting head. This fish can grow to a length of almost 40cm. While the adults have spots, the juveniles can have either spots or stripes and display a little red. Juveniles are more often seen in brackish and freshwater habitats such as mangrove swamps, while adults can be seen further out in saltwater along the coast.
Although named after the belief it feeds mainly on scat, the Spotted Scat is mostly herbivorous, grazing on algae and plant matter with no evidence they feed on fecal matter. For protection, Spotted Scats possess venomous spines in its fins that can inflict significant pain and side effects such as dizziness. This species is also a schooling fish.
Habitat: Coastal habitats such as estuaries, seawalls and more.
Conservation status: Least Concern (Red Data Book 3)
The only one of its kind in Singapore, the Spotted Scat is an easily recognizable fish due to its rectangular body covered in spots and steep, slanting head. This fish can grow to a length of almost 40cm. While the adults have spots, the juveniles can have either spots or stripes and display a little red. Juveniles are more often seen in brackish and freshwater habitats such as mangrove swamps, while adults can be seen further out in saltwater along the coast.
Although named after the belief it feeds mainly on scat, the Spotted Scat is mostly herbivorous, grazing on algae and plant matter with no evidence they feed on fecal matter. For protection, Spotted Scats possess venomous spines in its fins that can inflict significant pain and side effects such as dizziness. This species is also a schooling fish.
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| A school of juvenile Spotted Scats displaying their spines to an approaching Moses' Snapper. Note the striped patterning of the juveniles. |
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| Another school of juvenile Spotted Scats, this time with spots instead of stripes. (Photography by: Lumin Ong) References
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