African Scat

Scatophagus tetracanthus

The Feces Eater (12 inches / 30 cm). A massive, hyperactive brackish fish that gets its scientific name from literally stalking other large fish to eat their poop before it hits the bottom.

Family: Scatophagidae
Origin: Coste e Fiumi dell'Africa Orientale
Tank use: Used in 0 tanks

Temperature

24 °C - 28 °C

7.5 - 8.5

Water type

Freshwater

Tank level

All levels

Adult size

30 cm

Care and observations

The Plant Obliterator: You CANNOT keep them with live plants or decorative macroalgae. They are ravenous herbivores/detritivores that will shred and swallow every single leaf of expensive aquatic plants in minutes.

Venomous Spines: Be careful netting them. Their dorsal fin spines carry a mild venom that will cause extreme throbbing pain and swelling if it pricks your hand.

Fish profile

Tank level: All levels
Adult size: 30 cm
GH: 15 dGH - 30 dGH
KH: n/a
TDS: n/a
Conductivity: n/a

Image gallery

Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.

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