The Zebrasoma scopas is famous for its color, shape and propensity to eat nuisance hair algae in the aquarium. It exhibits a long snout that enables the Zebrasoma tangs to reach filamentous algae in the aquarium which are out of reach for other Acanthurids and surgeonfish. The Juvenile Scopas Tang is solitary and never stays far from the cover of reef, whereas, the adult roams in the reef tank and can be found in pair, singly, or in large groups. The juvenile Scopas Tang show somewhat different body marking than that of adult ones with exaggerated dorsal and anal fins as well as thin white vertical lines that transverse the body. The Scopas Tang is easy to keep and care, especially in a reef aquarium. The Scopas Tang should be fed with freeze-dried algae sheet with a lettuce clip so it can browse throughout the day. Other food include substantial amount of plant material; including microalgae, broccoli, spinach, Spirulina flake food and dried algae sheets for a continued good health. The Scopas Tang is an aggressive fish towards other similar shaped fish, especially surgeonfish. It can be kept in groups or in pairs only in a large aquarium. The Scopas Tang is sexually dimorphic, with males having a patch of short, bristles on the caudal peduncle, which is not present in females.
CARE FACTS |
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Care Level: |
Easy |
Temperament: |
Semi-Agressive |
Diet: |
omnivore |
Reef Safe: |
Yes |
Minimum Tank Size: |
120g |
Max Size: |
12 in |