African Argus Fish (Striped Argus Fish)

 

Scatophagus tetracanthus**

The African Argus Fish (Scatophagus tetracanthus) is a brackish and marine fish that occurs in the tropical Indo-Pacific from the coast of East Africa (Somalia to South Africa) in the west to Australia and New Guinea in the east.

The African Argus Fish lives in shallow water down to depths of five meters, especially in brackish mangrove areas, ports and in East Africa also in river mouths and the lower reaches of rivers. It feeds on worms, crustaceans, insects and plants.

He can reach a length of 30 to 40 cm and resembles the common argus fish (Scatophagus argus) in its external appearance. In contrast to this species, which is patterned with dots on the sides of the body, the African argus fish shows vertical, black-brown stripes on a yellowish to bluish-silvery basic color. The number of sanitary napkins and their width varies from individual to individual. Typically, specimens with wide bandages have fewer numbers. The bandages extend to the edge of the stomach in young fish, but only extend to the upper half of the body in older fish, so they get shorter with increasing age. The dorsal and anal fins are brownish, the pelvic fins dark brown and the caudal fin base is yellowish. The mouth is small, horizontal and not protractile (cannot be extended). The larvae of the fish (tholichthys stage) are characterized by a large head with thick bone plates. Over time, the tholichthys stage passes over into the adult fish through the regression of the head armor. In juvenile fish, the spines of the dorsal, anal and ventral fins are provided with a thin, poison-secreting glandular tissue.

Source: aquamaps.org
Note: Distribution range colours indicate degree of suitability
of habitat which can be interpreted as probabilities of occurrence.

Aquarium Info (Source: Aquarium-Glaser)

Like all Argus fish, these are also completely euryhaline, so they can move freely between sea and fresh water, which they do in the wild. Our specimens have been in pure fresh water for 2 weeks now. Much more important for these fish than the salt content is the pH value, which should never drop below 8 if possible.

The beautiful Scatophagus tetracanthus are omnivores that prefer to eat small crustaceans (Artemia, Cyclops etc.), but vegetable components are also part of the menu. The maximum length for S. tetracanthus is given as approx. 30 cm, mostly they are fully grown with 15-20 cm, in any case one finds only extremely rarely larger specimens in nature. When catching one should be careful, Argus fish have poison glands under the first dorsal fin, a sting is very painful. However, this is not dangerous, only allergy sufferers should consult a doctor after a bite.

African argus fish are fairly peaceful animals that often form larger schools. If possible, they should also be kept in groups in the aquarium, possibly together with their green and spotted cousins from Southeast Asia.