Spotted Scat

Scatophagus argus 

Habitat & Distribution :  Indo-Pacific Ocean 

Diet : Small fish, crustaceans, plankton, worms 

Size : 38 cm 

Lifespan : 

Description

The spotted scat gets its name from the spots all over its body. 

Behavior

They are commonly found in estuaries and places with muddy seabeds, including offshore waters. They can be found solitary or in small groups, feeding on whatever they can find from carrion or detritus on the seabed, near coral and reefs. 

Reproduction

They have a protracted spawning season that aligns with monsoon cycles, typically peaking twice a year. They are euryhaline fish that generally breed in marine or highly saline environments before migrating into mangroves as juveniles. 

Predator(s)

Trevally, snappers, groupers and other larger predatory fish