Contents Index of fishes General parts of a fish
	Kelvin K P Lim and Peter K L Ng

Family Scatophagidae Indo-Pacific. Deep-bodied, disc-shaped fish with well developed dorsal spines. They are basically estuarine fishes, although they may enter drains and are frequently sold as wholly freshwater aquarium fish. Genus Scatophagus Spotted Scat or Butterfish Scatophagus argus Ikan Kitang, Euryhaline; 31 cm; oviparous; omnivorous (subsisting mainly on plant material and detritus); gregarious; pelagic. Indigenous, common along the coast. Canals, prawn ponds, coastal streams and mangrove creeks. This species is included because it is commonly sold in aquaria as a freshwater fish and is native. In the natural state, it often travels far up the river where the water may be entirely fresh. One has to be very careful when handling scats for the sharp spines on the back (suspected to contain venom), are able to inflict very painful pricks.

Introduction Freshwater habitats Fishes in Singapore Conservation Amazing Fishy Facts About the guidebook

From A Guide to Common Freshwater Fishes of Singapore by Kelvin K P Lim and Peter K L Ng Published by the Singapore Science Centre and sponsored by BP @Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research and Singapore Science Centre