Scopas Tang (Zebrasoma Scopas)

Also Known As: Brown Tang, Scopas Surgeonfish

Compatibility and Behavior
Think of the Scopas Tang (Zebrasoma scopas) as the Hawaiian Yellow Tang's understated cousin. Same tall, disc-shaped body and that signature sail-like dorsal fin, but trade the highlighter yellow for something earthier: a warm brown to smoky chocolate that often lightens toward the face and deepens near the tail, with subtle streaking and speckling throughout. Under reef lighting some individuals throw off soft golden or olive highlights that reward a closer look. It is a hardy, almost perpetually busy grazer, and many reefers come to rely on it as a workhorse herbivore that keeps film and filamentous algae in check. Temperament generally runs peaceful to semi-aggressive, with most of the attitude reserved for other tangs and similarly shaped grazers, especially in tighter quarters. It is reef safe in practice, browsing rock and hard surfaces rather than bothering corals or inverts, though an underfed or stressed individual can occasionally take a test nip, which is one more reason to keep it well fed.

Aquarium Requirements
Like most tangs, this one wants a mature system with established live rock and room to cruise. For small to medium specimens in the 1.5 to 3.5 inch range, a tank around 75 to 100 gallons with a long footprint is a sensible baseline, with larger systems preferred as adults fill out and for long-term comfort. Aquascape with open swimming lanes paired with porous, arch-and-ledge rockwork, which both maximizes algae-growing surface and gives the fish shaded spots to wedge into at night or when startled. Standard tang care covers the rest: strong, well-oxygenated flow, solid filtration, and stable water quality. Keep it grazing on nori, marine algae, and quality herbivore foods to maintain condition and color and to take the edge off any territorial tendencies. A well-fed Scopas is a far more agreeable tankmate than a hungry one.

Specifications
Approximate Size: Sm: 1.5–2", Md: 2.5–3.5", Lg: 3.5–4.5"
Diet: Herbivore; marine algae, nori, spirulina-based prepared foods, with occasional quality frozen fare
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Care Level: Intermediate
Reef Safe: Yes
Temperament: Peaceful to semi-aggressive
Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallons for small specimens, with a larger system required as it grows
Special Considerations: May be territorial toward other Zebrasoma and similarly shaped grazers, particularly in smaller or crowded systems; keep well-fed to minimize aggression and discourage nipping