Scat

Scat Tank Setup

A tank of at least 450 litres (119 US gallons) works well. Keep the water at 72-82°F with a pH around 7.5-8.5, and set up both cover and open swimming space where they spend most of their time (Mid). Always keep a group of at least 5 of their own kind - kept alone or in pairs they tend to turn shy, nippy, or wash out in colour. They grow to around 30 cm, so plan the tank size and filtration for a full-grown adult rather than the small juvenile you see in the shop.

What Do Scats Eat?

They're not fussy eaters - feed a varied diet, rotating good-quality dry, frozen, and gel foods rather than the same thing every day, and match the food size to their mouths.

Scat Tank Mates

Brackish-to-marine fish, not a freshwater community species: juveniles are often sold in fresh water, but salinity must be raised gradually to strongly brackish and, for adults, full marine water. Grows to 25-30 cm and lives 15+ years; keep a group of 5+ in at least 450 litres with very strong filtration, as it is a greedy, messy eater that also devours aquarium plants. The fin spines are venomous and cause painful stings - handle with care. The Scat is peaceful, which is the first thing to weigh up when you choose tank mates. At around 30 cm fully grown, it needs tank mates that can hold their own against its size and appetite. It's a shoaling fish, so settle a group of 5 or more of its own kind before adding anything else - a stressed, lonely fish is far more likely to nip or hide. Before you buy, run your full stocking list through our stocking calculator. It weighs temperament, adult size, and water needs together, which a single species page can't do on its own.

Are Scats Good for Beginners?

Not a sensible first purchase. Get the tank cycled, keep easier fish stable for a year, then revisit if you still want the extra work this species demands.