Animal Species:Striped Scat, Selenotoca multifasciata (Richardson, 1846)

Alternative Name/s

Banded Scat, Barred Scat, Butterfish, John Dory, Johnny Dory, Old Maid, Southern Butter-fish, Striped Butterfish

Identification

The Striped Scat is a deep-bodied, compressed fish that has tiny ctenoid scales. The body is greenish to yellow above becoming silvery below. It has a variable pattern of 10 to 12 dark vertical bars on the side of the body. There are short bars and spots on the lower sides.

Size range

The species grows to 41 cm in length.

Distribution

The species occurs in the Western Pacific. In Australia this species is recorded from the central coast of Western Australia, around the tropical north and south to the central New South Wales coast.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information.  Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Striped Scat specimens in the Australian Museum.

What does this mean?

Habitat

Adults are usually found schooling in sandy areas of estuaries and river mouths. Juveniles commonly enter freshwater streams.

Feeding and Diet

It feeds on small benthic invertebrates and detritus.

Danger to humans and first aid

Care must be taken if this species is handled. At the base if each fin spine is a venom gland. The fin spines can inflict painful wounds.

Classification

Species:

multifasciata

Genus:

Selenotoca

Family:

Scatophagidae

Order:

Perciformes

Class:

Actinopterygii

Subphylum:

Vertebrata

Phylum:

Chordata

Kingdom:

Animalia

What does this mean?

References

1. Allen, G.R., Midgley, S.H. & M. Allen. 2002. Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 394.
2. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
3. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
4. Merrick, J.R. & G.E. Schmida. 1984. Australian Freshwater Fishes. Biology and Management. John R. Merrick. Pp. 409.

Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated: 9 November 2012

Tags Fishes, Ichthyology, Striped Scat, Selenotoca multifasciata, Scatophagidae, green, yellow, silver, deep-bodied, 30 cm - 1 m, stripes or bands, tropical, pelagic, marine, adult,