Scatophagus argus (Linnaeus, 1766)
Spotted scat |
|
Kero kero,
Kikero,
Kikilo,
Kikiro,
Kitang,
Kitong,
Pingaw,
Pingo,
Spotted scat,
Akikiro,
Bayang,
Kapiged,
Kikilo,
Kikiro,
Kitang,
Lanbia,
Lankia,
Malaga,
Ngi-ni-ngisi,
Ngisi-ngisi,
Quequero,
Samaral,
Spadefish,
Tikero
|
| Scatophagidae (Scats) |
| 45 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
|
demersal; freshwater; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 5 m, amphidromous |
| Indo-Pacific: Kuwait to Fiji, north to southern Japan, south to New Caledonia. Reported from Samoa (Ref. 9710), Tonga (Ref. 53797), and the Society Islands (Ref. 2847). |
|
Dorsal spines (total): 10-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16-18; Anal spines: 4-4; Anal soft rays: 13-15. Ground colour greenish. Juveniles with a few large roundish blotches, about size of eye, or with about 5 or 6 broad, dark, vertical bars. In large adults, spots may be faint and restricted to dorsal part of flanks. Body quadrangular, strongly compressed. Dorsal head profile steep. Eye moderately large, its diameter somewhat smaller than snout length. Snout rounded. Mouth small, horizontal, not protractile. Teeth villiform, in several rows on jaws (ref 43044). |
| Inhabit harbors, natural embayments, brackish estuaries and the lower reaches of freshwater streams, frequently occurring among mangroves. Feed on worms, crustaceans, insects and plant matter (Ref. 7020, 44894, 48637). The dorsal, anal and pelvic spines are believed by Philippine fishers to be venomous and capable of inflicting wounds (Ref. 6565). Used in Chinese medicine (Ref. 12166). In Hong Kong live fish markets (Ref. 27253). Marketed as fresh (Ref. 12693). |
|
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
|
| venomous |
|
Known from Puerto Princesa, Palawan (Ref. 58652). Also reported from Taal Lake (Ref. 12165, 13446), Laguna de Bay in a 2005 assessment (Ref. 80824), Lake Naujan (Ref. 13446), and from Panay (Ref. 26129). Specimens were collected from Kiga, San Jose, Dulag, and Ambacan River at Baybay, Leyte and from Sohon Cave and Inuntan, Basey River, Samar in 1993 (Ref. 7223). Migrated into Lake Mainit via the Tubay River, Mindanao (Ref. 4867, 50320, 13446, 81829) and Kalinawan River (Ref. 81829). Recorded from Candaba Swamp and Pampanga River (Ref. 109918). Museum: Western Calatagan, Batangas, UPZM 5386. Also Ref. 4517, 6956. |
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