We received this top rarity from the Pacific coast of Eastern Africa. For the first time ever we can offer 27 specimens. Like all scats this species is completely euryhalin, this means it can change freely between the sea and freshwater; this is their typical behaviour in the wild. Much more important than the salt content is the pH for these fishes: pH must never drop below 8 over a longer period.
The extremely beautiful Scatophagus tetracanthus are omnivorous fishes. They prefer small crustaceans, like artemia or cyclops, but they also feed on vegetables. The maximum length reported for S. tetracanthus is 30 cm, but it usually is fully grown with 15-20 cm; at least in the wild hardly ever larger indiviuals are found. One should be careful when catching the fish, as they produce a venom in glands under the first dorsal fin. A sting is very painful, but usually harmless. Only allergy sufferers should be careful and visit a medic if stung.
African scats are quite peaceful fish that often swim in large schools. It is also recommended to keep them in groups in the aquarium, if necessary along with their green and spotted cousins from southeast Asia.
For our customers: the fish have code 169103 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade. Available in small numbers only!
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
