Ruby Red Scat

The Ruby Red Scat fish is a popular brackish water aquarium fish that is native to the Indo-Pacific region. Ruby Red Scat fish are a hardy schooling fish that should be kept in a minimum tank size of 125 gallons.  When introducing a school of Ruby Red Scat's it is best to introduce all individuals at the same time as they establish a hierarchical system.

Ruby Red Scats have a uniquely-shaped silver or dark body with black stripes and variable amounts of red, as the fish matures many of these characteristics are lost. 

Ruby Red Scats are opportunistic omnivores that require a varied diet in vegetable matter as they mature.  As they mature their diet switches to a more herbivorous, favoring filamentous algae and plant material.  Provide a varied diet that includes blanched spinach, kale and seaweed while also offering a variety of frozen foods such as brine shrimp, bloodworms, mysis shrimp or krill.  If you are offering a pellet or flake food ensure it is rich in vegetable based ingredients.

The dorsal and ventral fins of the Ruby red scat are venomous, if stung it is similar to a bee sting but more potent.