Scopas Tang

About

The blue-lined tang (Zebrasoma scopas) is a broadly distributed surgeonfish found from the reefs of East Africa all the way east to the Tuamotu Islands, and from southern Japan down to Lord Howe Island. One of the wider ranges of any tang in the trade. Adults are mostly a warm brown with fine blue-tinged lines and markings running along the body, giving the fish a subtler appearance than many of its flashier relatives. In the wild, adults spend their days grazing filamentous algae on coral-rich lagoon and seaward reefs, typically moving in loose groups of around 20 individuals. Juveniles tend to be solitary and shelter among corals, but as they mature they become more social and will form resident spawning aggregations. In an aquarium, this tang makes a solid algae-management partner. Its highly specialized pharyngeal teeth are well-adapted for cropping fine filamentous growth. Temperamentally it is peaceful toward most tankmates, though it will clash with other Zebrasoma species, so mixing tangs within that genus is best avoided. Given its potential adult size, it needs a roomy, well-established reef system and an ample supply of algae-based foods to stay healthy. An intermediate-level keeper with the right setup will find this a rewarding and long-lived fish.