Family SCATOPHAGIDAE

Scatophagidae

© Copyright Ros Poole.

Selenetoca

© Copyright McCulloch 1922

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Introduction

The Scatophagidae, widespread in the tropical Indo-west Pacific, comprise four species in two genera (Parenti 2004). Two species occur in Australian waters, we have made some changes to the synonym of both species.

Scats occur in mangrove, estuarine and inshore habitats; they also penetrate the lower reaches of freshwater streams. The body is ovate and laterally compressed, similar in shape to butterfly fishes (Chaetodontidae). Maximum length ranges between 25 and 30 cm.

Weber & de Beaufort (1936) treated the scats and provided illustrations of the two Australian species. Australian species are also dealt with by Steene (1978) and Kuiter & Debelius (2001), who included colour illustrations, and Kottelat (2001).

General References

Kottelat, M. 2001. Scatophagidae. pp. 3623-3626 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 6 pp. 3381-4218.

Kuiter, R.H. & Debelius, H. 2001. Surgeonfishes, Rabbitfishes and Their Relatives. A comprehensive guide to Acanthuroidei. Chorleywood, U.K. : TMC Publishing 208 pp.

McCulloch, A.R. 1922. Checklist of the fish and fish-like animals of New South Wales. Part 3. The Australian Zoologist 2(3): 86-130 figs 25-43

Parenti, P. 2004. Family Scatophagidae Bleeker 1876. California Academy of Sciences Annotated Checklists of Fishes No. 36: 1–5.

Steene, R.C. 1978. Butterfly and Angelfishes of the World. Australia. Sydney : A.H. & A.W. Reed Vol. 1 144 pp. 216 figs.

Weber, M. & de Beaufort, L.F. 1936. The Fishes of the Indo-Australian Archipelago. Perciformes (continued). Leiden : Brill Vol. 7 607 pp. 106 figs.

Common Name References

Merrick, J.R. & Schmida, G.E. 1984. Australian Freshwater Fishes Biology and Management. Sydney : J.R. Merrick 409 pp. figs 280 col. figs. [265] (Butterfishes, Scats)