Selenotoca multifasciata (Richardson, 1846)
Total length to 41 cm, common to 30 cm. Dorsal fin with 12 strong sharp spines and anal fin with four spines. Mouth and scales small. Colouration is silvery, with a series of vertical black bars and several faint dusky horizontal lines low on sides. The juveniles have black spots below the bars.
Striped Scat, Selenotoca multifasciata (Photo: Ian Banks).
Prefers bays, estuaries and the lower freshwater reaches of rivers and creeks. Found throughout northern Australia, from Shark Bay, WA, to Sydney, NSW. Also occurs from New Guinea to New Caledonia.
Juvenile scats are often found in freshwater and are collected as aquarium specimens. Adults are often caught by anglers in estuaries using small hooks baited with prawn or squid. The venomous spines can cause very painful wounds.