Scatophagidae (1)

The family Scatophagidae or Argus fish in Dutch is a relatively small family. The family consists of only two genera and two species each. In all four species, the young live mostly in freshwater. The adults prefer brackish water. Only the Scatophagus tetracanthus can spend its entire life in freshwater.

The largest species can grow up to 38 centimeters and reach an age of more than 20 years in captivity, provided they are kept in the right water values.

Scatophagidae are scavengers, they feed on algae and feces. Their diet has also given them their name: the name Scatophagidae can be broken down into two parts. Skatos means “feces” in Greek and phagein means “food”