Scatophagus was first formally described as a genus in 1831 by the French zoologist Georges Cuvier with Chaetodon argus which had been described from India by Linnaeus in 1766 later designated as the type species.

[2] The genus Scatophagus contains two extant species:[3] The fossil Eoscatophagus frontalis Tyler & Sorbini, 1999[4] (syn.

Scatophagus frontalis Agassiz, 1839) is from the Middle Eocene of the North Italian Monte Bolca formation that originated from sediments of the Tethys.

The head and the body are covered with tiny ctenoid scales and these reach the soft rayed parts of the dorsal and anal fins.

[8] They are found in sheltered habitats in coastal areas, including in brackish water and even into freshwater rivers.

[3] Scatophagus fishes feed on a diverse diet which includes small invertebrates, algae, detritus and refuse.