Butter Fish

About

Butter Fish (Scatophagus argus) is one of those species that rewards hobbyists willing to work with brackish conditions. Known also as the Common Scat or Leopard Scat, this fish is instantly recognizable by its deep, laterally compressed body and the pattern of dark spots scattered across a silver-green or yellowish background. A pattern that shifts somewhat as individuals age. In the wild, it ranges across a massive stretch of the Indo-Pacific, from Kuwait all the way to Fiji and as far north as southern Japan, typically inhabiting estuaries, mangrove edges, harbors, and the tidal reaches of rivers where salinity fluctuates. These are not delicate fish. They are active, greedy feeders that will accept a wide variety of foods including plant matter, worms, crustaceans, and prepared foods, which makes feeding them straightforward. They are best kept in groups, as they are naturally shoaling fish and settle more comfortably when not kept alone. One detail worth knowing before handling them: the dorsal, anal, and pelvic spines are considered venomous by fishers in parts of their range, so net carefully and watch your fingers. A sizable, well-filtered brackish setup suits them well, and their forgiving feeding habits and hardy constitution make them a reasonable choice even for newer brackish keepers.