Brown Scopas Tang
TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-likes)
Family: Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, Tangs, Unicornfishes)
Genus/species: Zebrasoma scopas
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Zebrasoma is a small genus of tangs characterized by round, laterally compressed bodies, large dorsal sail-like fins, and pointed snouts. Because of their snouts, they are able to eat filamentous algae that grow in spots other fishes cannot reach, a talent that also makes them popular in aquariums large and small. Males and females are similar. Color can be variable; most often are shades of gray and brown with a greenish tinge running along the dorsal spine.
A distinguishing feature of surgeonfishes, tangs, and
unicornfishes is a modified scale on the caudal peduncle, which forms a scalpel-like sharp blade often covered with toxic slime. These spines are used for species recognition, defense, and competition for mates. They are white in the Brown Scopes Tang. Note: Acanthus means “thorn” or “spine”.
Length to 20 cm (8 in)
DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Widespread throughout the Indo-Pacific from Africa to Japan in lagoons and outer reefs to 50 m (150 ft).
DIET IN THE WILD: Z. scopas graze on algae, usually in groups of 20 individuals. Its numerous, small pharyngeal teeth may have evolved in response to a shift in diet from macroalgae to filamentous algae.
REPRODUCTION: Group and pair spawning have been observed scattering eggs and sperm into the water column.
CONSERVATION: IUCN Red List Least Concern (LC)
REMARKS: Zebrasoma spp. are known to irritate some stony corals to induce the release of zooxanthellae, evidently a sailfin delicacy.
References
California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium Philippine Coral Reef and Hidden Reef 2018
Ron's Wordpress Shortlink wp.me/p1DZ4b-BO
fishbase www.fishbase.org/summary/Zebrasoma-scopas.html
IUCN www.iucnredlist.org/details/178005/0
EOL eol.org/pages/204517/details
Ron's flickr www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/4770058557/in/set-72157...
3-11-16, 4-17-18
Brown Scopas Tang
TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-likes)
Family: Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, Tangs, Unicornfishes)
Genus/species: Zebrasoma scopas
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Zebrasoma is a small genus of tangs characterized by round, laterally compressed bodies, large dorsal sail-like fins, and pointed snouts. Because of their snouts, they are able to eat filamentous algae that grow in spots other fishes cannot reach, a talent that also makes them popular in aquariums large and small. Males and females are similar. Color can be variable; most often are shades of gray and brown with a greenish tinge running along the dorsal spine.
A distinguishing feature of surgeonfishes, tangs, and
unicornfishes is a modified scale on the caudal peduncle, which forms a scalpel-like sharp blade often covered with toxic slime. These spines are used for species recognition, defense, and competition for mates. They are white in the Brown Scopes Tang. Note: Acanthus means “thorn” or “spine”.
Length to 20 cm (8 in)
DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Widespread throughout the Indo-Pacific from Africa to Japan in lagoons and outer reefs to 50 m (150 ft).
DIET IN THE WILD: Z. scopas graze on algae, usually in groups of 20 individuals. Its numerous, small pharyngeal teeth may have evolved in response to a shift in diet from macroalgae to filamentous algae.
REPRODUCTION: Group and pair spawning have been observed scattering eggs and sperm into the water column.
CONSERVATION: IUCN Red List Least Concern (LC)
REMARKS: Zebrasoma spp. are known to irritate some stony corals to induce the release of zooxanthellae, evidently a sailfin delicacy.
References
California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium Philippine Coral Reef and Hidden Reef 2018
Ron's Wordpress Shortlink wp.me/p1DZ4b-BO
fishbase www.fishbase.org/summary/Zebrasoma-scopas.html
IUCN www.iucnredlist.org/details/178005/0
EOL eol.org/pages/204517/details
Ron's flickr www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/4770058557/in/set-72157...
3-11-16, 4-17-18