TankBud

Silver scat

Selenotoca multifasciata

Also known as False scat, Silver barred scat, Banded scat

BrackishSaltwaterFish

Silver scat (Selenotoca multifasciata)
RatioTile · CC BY-SA 4.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–82°F
22–28°C
pH
7.5–8.5
Adult size
11.8 in
30 cm
Minimum tank
159 gal
600 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
Hard
Rarity
Common
Reef safe
Not reef safe
Family
Scatophagidae
Origin
Estuaries and coastal rivers of northern Australia, New Guinea, and the western Pacific

Overview

The silver scat is an active grazer that swims in the middle of a large brackish or marine tank. Only experienced keepers should take it on.

Did you know

The silver scat is often sold as the false scat, because at a glance it looks like a washed-out spotted scat. It is a separate species with its own bold barring.

Caring for the silver scat

A group of silver scats needs a big tank of at least 159 gal (600 L), with a long open footprint. Leave plenty of open swimming length, and use tough plants or none, since they graze and dig. Filter the tank well.

Hold the water hard and alkaline at 72 to 82°F (22 to 28°C) and a pH of 7.5 to 8.5. Increase the salinity gradually as they age, since juveniles cope with low brackish water and adults want high brackish to marine conditions. Feed a mostly vegetarian omnivore diet of blanched greens, algae and spirulina, plus some meaty foods.

Keep them in a group of at least five or six, since they grow nervous and nippy alone. They are mostly peaceful, but they get boisterous and can nip when crowded or hungry. Pair them with sturdy brackish species like monos, spotted scats and archers rather than small or long-finned fish.

Handle a silver scat with care, and steer it into a container rather than netting it by hand. Silver scats are pelagic spawners and are not bred in home aquariums, so the fish sold are wild-caught.

Good to know

The silver scat, Selenotoca multifasciata, belongs to the family Scatophagidae. A silver body crossed with dark vertical bars, with spots low on the flanks, sets it apart from the spotted scat. Like other scats, it carries venomous dorsal spines that can deliver a painful sting. Wild fish are reported to grow larger than aquarium adults.

In the wild

Silver scats come from estuaries, tidal rivers and coastal waters of northern Australia, New Guinea and the western Pacific. They move between fresh, brackish and marine water with the tide.

Common questions

What size tank does a silver scat need?

A silver scat needs at least 159 gal (600 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a silver scat need?

A silver scat is comfortable at 72–82°F (22–28°C) with a pH of 7.5–8.5.

What does a silver scat eat?

A silver scat eats a mostly vegetarian omnivore diet. Offer blanched greens, algae and spirulina, plus some meaty foods.

How big does a silver scat get?

An adult silver scat reaches about 11.8 in (30 cm).

Does a silver scat need a group?

Yes. A silver scat is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

How does a silver scat breed?

Silver scats are pelagic spawners and are not bred in home aquariums. The fish in the trade are wild-caught.

Related species