Scopas Tang

About this fish

Scopas Tang is a saltwater tang fish for a home reef aquarium, scientifically listed as Zebrasoma scopas. It’s an active, grazing swimmer that helps keep algae under control while adding an eye-catching presence as it cruises open swimming space. In practice, a Scopas Tang is best suited to larger tanks with steady algae availability, and it’s commonly chosen for community reef setups where “reef safe” compatibility is desired.

Features:

• Active, open-water swimmer that benefits from plenty of room to cruise
• Naturally grazes algae throughout the day, supporting a more natural feeding routine
• Bold, reef-friendly look that adds movement and visual interest
• Typically reef safe with many corals, making it a common reef candidate
• Can be territorial, especially toward other tangs—choose tankmates thoughtfully
• Has a sharp spine near the tail, so handle and net with care during setup and maintenance
• Once settled in, it generally does best with consistent daily feeding and a calm acclimation period

Specifications:

• Scientific name: Zebrasoma scopas
• Group: Tangs & Surgeonfish
• Tank size guidance: Long tank with plenty of open swimming room (exact gallons vary by keeper and stocking)
• Availability sizes: Tiny, Small, Medium, Large, XL
• Diet: Algae sheets and seaweed (daily), plus frozen and pellet foods
• Temperament: Active and can be territorial toward other tangs
• Water temperature: ~72–78°F
• pH: ~8.1–8.4
• Salinity: ~1.020–1.026 specific gravity
• Alkalinity: ~8–12 dKH
• Calcium: ~380–450 ppm
• Magnesium: ~1250–1350 ppm