This fish is generally distributed around the Indo-Pacific region, to Japan, New Guinea, and southeastern Australia.

They live in coastal muddy areas, including estuaries, mangroves, harbours, and the lower courses of rivers.

[3] In 1831 Georges Cuvier described the genus Scatophagus and Linnaeus's C. argus was designated as its type species.

[5] Scatophagus argus has a body which is rectangular and strongly compressed with the head having a steep dorsal profile.

The rear margins of soft parts of the dorsal and anal fins is roughly vertical.

[1] A small population was probably established in the Mediterranean Sea around Malta after a first report in 2007 (probably as a result of released aquarium fishes).

In 1992, biologists Barry and Fast reported adult scat from the Philippines were primarily herbivorous, while the juveniles preferred zooplankton.

[7] Since spotted scats can live in relatively enclosed waterbodies, as well as quite far upstream in freshwater rivers, they can adapt to varying salinities.

[6] Scatophagus argus is fished for and eaten by some people from its original environment, and can sting with small spikes in its anterior parts, inflicting a venom that causes great pain and dizziness.