Brown Tang

Species Profile

• Scientific Name: Zebrasoma scopas
• Common Name: Brown Tang
  
• Adult Size: 8–10 inches (20–25 cm)
• Life Expectancy: 5–10 years in captivity (can live longer with excellent care)
• Habitat:
  • Found in the Indo-Pacific region, especially in coral reefs of Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Great Barrier Reef, and the Philippines
  • Inhabit lagoon and reef slopes, especially where algae are abundant

  • Usually seen alone or in small groups

Tank Requirements

• Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallons (284 liters) — larger preferred for adult specimens
• Ideal Temperature: 72–78°F (22–26°C)
• pH Range: 8.1–8.4
• Water Hardness: 8–12 dKH
• Temperament:
  • Generally peaceful, but can be territorial with other tangs, especially those of similar shape or species
  • Active swimmer — needs plenty of open space and live rock for grazing

  • Reef-safe

Diet & Nutrition

• Primarily herbivorous
• In the wild: grazes on benthic algae
• In captivity:
  • Offer dried seaweed (nori), spirulina, and algae-based flakes or pellets
  • Supplement with blanched vegetables (zucchini, spinach) and occasional meaty foods like brine shrimp or mysis

  • Feed 2–3 times daily for optimal health

Breeding & Spawning

• Very difficult to breed in home aquariums
• In the wild:
  • Forms spawning groups
  • External fertilization — males and females release sperm and eggs into the water

• No confirmed successful breeding in most private aquariums due to planktonic larvae stage complexity

Appearance

• Olive-brown body with subtle lines and speckles
• Disk-shaped, laterally compressed body
• Large, sail-like dorsal and anal fins

• Tail is typically lighter in color — can have a yellowish tint

Distinctive Features

• Has a sharp scalpel-like spine near the base of the tail (common to all tangs) used for defense
• Changes color slightly depending on mood or stress levels
• Excellent algae grazer — helps in algae control in reef tanks

• More subtle in appearance than other Zebrasoma species like the Yellow Tang