Tangs

Scopas tang

Zebrasoma scopas

Also sold as Brush-tail tang, Twotone tang

Care level: Intermediate
Adult size: 30.5 cm in aquariums
Minimum tank: 492 litres
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
With corals: Reef safe
Captive-bred: Wild-caught (captive-bred rare)
IUCN status: Least Concern

Show volumes inLitresUK gallonsUS gallons

How do you care for the scopas tang?

Semi-aggressive.

Feeding

Herbivore.

Seaweed three times a week or more.

Tank and special needs

Plan for at least 492 litres of water (the care sheet says 130 US gallons). FishBase records wild fish up to 40 cm (standard length); aquarium fish usually stay nearer 30.5 cm.

Swimming length.

Corals and invertebrates

None.

Which tankmates suit the scopas tang?

Clashes with other Zebrasoma (same shape).

Suggested order in a mixed tank: add last, after the peaceful fish have settled.

More than one scopas tang

Keep one scopas tang: two of the same species usually fight.

Other fish

Checked against the other 59 fish in this guide, assuming a tank big enough for both. Individual fish differ, so treat this as a starting point.

Avoid together (4)

Yellow tangBoth are Zebrasoma; close relatives defend the same space and food.
Regal blue tangBoth are tangs of similar shape, which is a common trigger for fights.
Kole tangBoth are tangs of similar shape, which is a common trigger for fights.
Powder blue tangBoth are tangs of similar shape, which is a common trigger for fights.

Usually fine together (55)

Invertebrates

Only the invertebrates with a known risk are listed.

Take care (2)

Tiger tail sea cucumberA stressed or dead tiger tail sea cucumber can release toxins that harm fish; cover pump intakes.
Sea appleA stressed or dead sea apple can release toxins that harm fish; cover pump intakes.

Corals and anemones

Only the corals and anemones with a known risk are listed.

No known problems with the corals and anemones in this guide.

These checks follow the reasons fish and invertebrates clash: same species or genus, similar shape, mouth size, temperament, food, burrows, tank size and the order they are added. Individual animals differ; every source agrees on that.

Quarantine and health

Ich prone.

New fish are the most common way disease gets into a reef tank. Quarantine every fish in a separate tank before it joins the display, and choose a method that suits its tolerance of copper.

Captive-bred or wild?

Wild-caught.

Where sources disagree

Where sources disagree
Topic	What sources say	Our reading
Adult size	FishBase lists 40 cm standard length. A US retailer gives about 30 cm.	The FishBase figure looks unusual; we will recheck it.

What does it cost in the UK?

£26 to £38. This is one UK retailer’s listing on 21 October 2026, not a market average, and every item was sold out on that day.

Sources

LiveAquaria (US retailer) care sheetRead 21 October 2026, read in full. Used for: stats.
FishBase species summaryRead 21 October 2026, read in full. Used for: max length.
Kraken Corals (UK retailer) catalogueRead 21 October 2026, read in full. Used for: UK price.
Kraken Corals (UK retailer) catalogueRead 21 October 2026, read in full. Used for: UK price medium.

Last checked 21 October 2026. How we check

Found a mistake? Tell us how to fix it.

How do you care for the scopas tang?

Feeding

Tank and special needs

Corals and invertebrates

Which tankmates suit the scopas tang?

More than one scopas tang

Other fish

✕ Avoid together (4)

Invertebrates

! Take care (2)

Corals and anemones

Quarantine and health

Captive-bred or wild?

Where sources disagree

What does it cost in the UK?

Sources

Related fish

Yellow tang

Regal blue tang

Kole tang

Powder blue tang

Avoid together (4)

Take care (2)