Common Name: African Tiger Scat
Scientific Name: Scatophagus tetracanthus
The African Tiger Scat, unlike its more common relatives, is truly a freshwater species. It possesses a diamond-shaped and laterally compressed body adorned with vertical stripes and bright yellow coloring, evoking the appearance of a tiger. Their unique patterns and freshwater preference make them a distinctive and highly sought after choice for aquarists.
Habitat and Distribution:
Native to the freshwater rivers and lakes of Central Africa, the African Tiger Scat thrives in habitats with a soft substrate, dense vegetation, and calm waters.
Size and Lifespan:
In the wild, this species can grow up to 12 inches, but in captivity, it’s typically around 6-8 inches. With appropriate care, they can live for over 10 years.
Diet and Behavior:
An omnivorous species, the African Tiger Scat feeds on a mix of aquatic plants, small crustaceans, and insects in the wild. In an aquarium, a balanced diet of quality flake or pellet foods, supplemented with occasional live or frozen foods, is ideal. They will also happily accept veggies such as fresh spinach or kale, though they should only be fed as part of a well balanced diet. They are generally peaceful, though they can be slightly territorial. They tend to do better in groups rather than as individuals, displaying more natural behavior as they shoal together.
Breeding and Reproduction:
Like other scats, there’s limited information on breeding the African Tiger Scat in captivity.
Aquarium Care and Tank Requirements:
A minimum of 125 gallons is suggested for this species when mature, especially if housing multiple. We suggest keeping them in groups of 5 or more. They prefer a setup with plenty of hiding spots, soft substrate, and dense vegetation. Provide a good filtration system, as they can be sensitive to water quality.
Ideal Tank Mates:
The African Tiger Scat is a shoaling fish that greatly appreciates being housed with multiple of its own kind, but they also coexist very well with other similarly-sized peaceful fish. Given its mild temperament, it should not be housed with overly aggressive species.
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate. They need consistent water quality and a well-balanced diet, which may not be ideal for beginners.
Water Parameters:
• Temperature: 72-82°F (22-28°C)
• pH: 6.5 - 7.5
• General Hardness (GH): 6-15 dGH
• Carbonate Hardness (KH): 4-10 dKH
• Ammonia: 0 ppm
• Nitrite: 0 ppm
• Nitrate: <20 ppm
Additional Information:
• The African Tiger Scat is a rare find in the aquarium trade compared to its brackish counterparts.
• Their freshwater preference makes them a unique option for those who are interested in scats but do not have a brackish setup.
• They are relatively undemanding but thrive best with stable water conditions and a varied diet.