Silver Scat (Selenotoca multifasciata)

The Silver Scat fish is a popular brackish water aquarium fish that is native to the Indo-Pacific region also known as the Spotbanded Scat, Barred Scat, and Striped Butterfish. Silver Scat fish are a hardy schooling fish that should be kept in a minimum tank size of 125 gallons.  When introducing a school of Silver Scat's it is best to introduce all individuals at the same time as they establish a hierarchical system.

Silver Scats have a uniquely-shaped silver or dark body with black stripes and spots, as the fish matures many of these characteristics are lost. 

Silver Scats are opportunistic omnivores that require a varied diet in vegetable matter as they mature.  As they mature their diet switches to a more herbivorous, favoring filamentous algae and plant material.  Provide a varied diet that includes blanched spinach, kale and seaweed while also offering a variety of frozen foods such as brine shrimp, bloodworms, mysis shrimp or krill.  If you are offering a pellet or flake food ensure it is rich in vegetable based ingredients.

The dorsal and ventral fins of the Silver scat are venomous, if stung it is similar to a bee sting but more potent.

Care details

• Temperature: 72 - 82° F
• dKH: 8 - 12
• Specific Gravity: 1.005-1.025
• Color: Black and Silver
• Family: Scatophagidae
• Diet: Herbivore and Omnivore