Relevant synonyms None. Misidentification None. Meristic formula D, XI+16+18; A, IV+14-15; P, 17; V, I+5; LL, 92-98  photo : E. Zammit

SHORT DESCRIPTION Body deep quadrangular shaped and compressed. Small head with steep dorsal profile, slightly concave above the eye. Small terminal mouth with very small teeth arranged in plates forming brush-like surface. Gill membrane united at isthmus. Dorsal fin with deep notch between spinous and soft ray portion. Membrane between dorsal and anal fins strongly incisions. Caudal fin round in juveniles, truncated to double emarginated in adults. Very small ctenoid scales cover the body, head and extend to dorsal and anal fins base. color : body silvery-grey to silvery-green or yellow with large, well separated, black or dark brown spots. Juveniles (up to 4 cm SL) are more colorful with red-orange dorsal surface with bars and dark dots. size : common 3-20 cm (max. 30 cm). DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS The body shape and the color pattern of this species differ significantly from all other Mediterranean species. BIOLOGY / ECOLOGY Very euryhaline species. Feeds on benthic invertebrates, algae and detritus. Reaches sexual maturity at 14 cm (females) or 12 cm (males). Reproduction occurs in marine environment but the juveniles and subadults inhabit freshwater, estuaries and mangrove swamps. habitat : mainly protected coastal marine environments, estuaries and freshwater source.

1st MEDITERRANEAN RECORD Malta, 2011. DISTRIBUTION Worldwide : Indo-Pacific from the Persian Gulf, southern India to Japan and Fiji. Mediterranean : Malta. ESTABLISHMENT SUCCESS Probably a small population was established in Malta. speculated reasons for success : MODE OF INTRODUCTION Most likely escaped  from aquariums. IMPORTANCE TO HUMANS None in the Mediterranean; a popular species in the aquarium trade. Small scale breeding in aquaculture in Taiwan.

KEY REFERENCES Barry T.P. and Fast A.W., 1992. Biology of the spotted scat (Scatophagus argus) in the Philippines.  Asian Fisheries Science, 5: 163-179. Kottelat M., 2001. Scatophagidae. In: Carpenter K.E. and Niem V.H. (eds). Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. Vol. 6. 3523-3626. Rome, FAO of the United Nations. Zammit E. and Schembri P.J., 2011. An overlooked and unexpected introduction? Occurrence of the spotted scat Scatophagus argus (Linnaeus, 1766) (Osteichthyes: Scatophagidae) in the Maltese Island. Aquatic Invasions, 6(1): S79-S83.   FEEDBACK / COMMENTS TO AUTHORS

Last update of the species sheet: November 2013 ©ciesm 2002