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( Scatophagidae)
Scatophagus
Selenotoca
See text for species. The scats are a small family, Scatophagidae, of fishes in the order Perciformes. They are small fishes native to the Indian and western Pacific Ocean that have become common and popular in the aquarium trade in recent years. Although juvenile scats may live in a freshwater environment, most adult scats prefer and do best in a brackish water environment with 3-4 teaspoons of salt per 2.5 gallons of water once they reach adulthood. However, the African Scat, Scatophagus tetracanthus, can and does live in freshwater in the wild and is even known to reproduce in freshwater.[dubious – discuss] The largest species reaches 38&_160;cm in length and some have been known to live more than twenty years in captivity given the proper water conditions. They are scavengers, feeding on algae and feces, hence their name, from Greek skatos meaning "feces" and phagein meaning "eat". Ideal tank mates include Puffers, Monos, Archers, and other Brackish water fish. There are four species in two genera.
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