Spotted Scat Scatophagus argus

The Common or Spotted Scat is native to tropical and subtropical waters of the Indian and western Pacific Oceans.

They are tolerant of fresh, brackish and salt water and inhabit estuaries, coastal lagoons and mangroves as well as downstream fresh water and oceans. The young are born in fresh water courses but move to salt water as juveniles/subadults.

The squarish shape is characteristic of the Scat. The number and dark colour of spots vary. The fish tends to get browner as it ages.

There are two main colour variations: the green scat above left and the red scat above centre/right (some are more completely greenish or red than those shown).

Juveniles, above with Archer fish and with Spotbanded Scat, have more elaborate tails. They can have a few large spots or some stripes like the Spotbanded.

It can grow to about a foot (30cm) long. Its fins have mildly venomous spines; they are used in traditional Chinese medicine.