Scatophagus argus

(Linnaeus, 1766)

Vernacular names
English : Spotted scat
French : Scatophage, Pavillon tacheté

Classification
Class : Teleostei
Order : Acanthuriformes (sometimes still Perciformes)
Family : Scatophagidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can grow to 38 cm in length. Small head with hump on forehead, large hump on back, deep body profile. Coloration dark olive with golden tinge and scattered black round blotches of various sizes. Slight orange tinge on fins.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in the Indo-Pacific area, from Kuwait to Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and Society Islands, north to south Japan, south to New Caledonia. Lives in harbors, mangroves, brackish waters and lower reaches of rivers, to 5 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species has a huge range and seems to be very adaptable. Despite the collection for food, medicine and trade, no declines have been noted.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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