Scopas Tang (Zebrasoma scopas) Care Guide

A hardy, understated tang with a mottled brown-yellow body. While not as flashy as other Zebrasoma species, it is one of the toughest and most affordable tangs.

Overview

Zebrasoma scopas is a species in the family Acanthuridae. A hardy, understated tang with a mottled brown-yellow body. While not as flashy as other Zebrasoma species, it is one of the toughest and most affordable tangs. An excellent algae grazer and a great choice for first-time tang keepers.

Taxonomy

Family: Acanthuridae
Genus: Zebrasoma
Scientific name: Zebrasoma scopas
Other names: Brown Tang, Twotone Tang
Origin: Indo-Pacific

Habitat

Widely distributed across the Indo-West Pacific from East Africa and the Red Sea to the Tuamotu Islands, on coral and rocky reefs at depths of 1-60 m. Adults are uniformly dark brown to charcoal with fine pale stippling; congeneric with the much more colourful yellow tang.

Tank requirements

Minimum tank volume: 300 L
Temperature: 24-27 °C
pH: 8.1-8.4
GH: 8-12 °dGH
Water flow: strong
Adult size: 15-20 cm
Lifespan: 8-12 years
Difficulty: beginner

Diet

Classified as herbivore. Recommended feeding frequency: 2x daily. In captivity, offer a varied diet appropriate to the species — quality prepared foods supplemented with frozen or live items of suitable size.

Compatibility

Temperament: semi-aggressive
Swimming level: middle
Compatible tank mates: Clownfish, Royal Gramma, Wrasses, Firefish Goby
Avoid with: Other Zebrasoma Tangs

Reef compatibility

Generally classified as reef-safe: does not feed on stony or soft corals, tridacnid clams or ornamental shrimps under normal conditions.

Breeding

Breeding strategy: egg-scatterer
Breeding difficulty: advanced