All fish / Scatophagidae

Silver Scat

Selenotoca multifasciata

Also known as striped scat, australian scat, butterfish, banded scat, silver scatophagus, moon scat, spotbanded scat, シルバースキャット, ketang-ketang, 银金鼓, 银鼓鱼

A deep, almost disc-shaped silver fish with dark vertical bars on the upper body that break up into spots lower down. It is kept for its shiny look, active schooling and hearty appetite, and does well with monos and other brackish fish.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

20 cm

Temperature

22 to 28 °C

pH

7.5 to 8.5

Smallest tank

400 litres

Keep as

Group of 4 or more

Diet

Omnivore: vegetable matter such as spirulina flakes, blanched greens and algae wafers, plus pellets, brine shrimp and bloodworm

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 20 years

Water

Brackish

Wild range

Western Pacific: Australia, New Guinea, Indonesia, New Caledonia

Breeding

It spawns in coastal marine waters, and the young drift in plankton before moving into estuaries. It has not been bred in home aquariums.

Good to know

Even though shops sell it as a freshwater fish, adults need brackish to full marine water and a big tank. The dorsal and anal fin spines are venomous and give a painful sting, so handle with care. Plants will be eaten.