Brushtail tangZebrasoma scopas

Category
  • Fringing Reef
Tags
  • Tangs
  • Fauna
  • Lagoon coral patches

Description

The Zebrasoma scopas, belongs to the family Acanthuridae and is commonly known by many names including; the Brushtail tang, Blue-lined tang, Bluelined sailfin tang, Brown sailfin surgeonfish, Brown sailfin tang, Brown tang, Two-tone surgeonfish, Twotone tang, Yellow sailfin tang.  It has a  wide oval compressed body and has a long and point muzzle. Its body is dark brown and with pale-green longitudinal lines becoming dots towards the head and caudal fin. The fins of this species are dark brown except the pectoral fins which are translucent with orange rays[1]. It has a total of 4 to 5 dorsal spines, 23 to 25 dorsal soft rays, 3 anal spines and 19 to 21 anal soft rays[2]. Its growth is rapid during the first three to four years and then it declines. Juveniles have yellowish bars and more prominent yellow patterns than the adults.

 

[1] ‘Zebrasoma Scopas | DORIS’.

[2] ‘Zebrasoma Scopas Summary Page’.

Habitat and ecology

This species is present across the Indo-Pacific region. Recorded depth range is between 1 and 60m. It is found in coastal, lagoon and outer reefs in coral rich areas. The diet of Zebrasoma scopas consists of algae.

 

Conservation and management

According to the IUCN Red list, this species is categorised as being of ‘Least Concern’ as it is common and widespread, and the population trend is stable. It is often trapped as by-catch and forms a minor part of aquarium trade. No conservation measures are in place for this species and it is present in many MPAs[1].

 

[1] ‘Zebrasoma Scopas’.

Did you know?

This species can reach a maximum recorded length of 23cm.

References

‘Coastal Fishes of Oman - John E. Randall - Google Books’. Accessed 15 December 2018. https://books.google.mu/books?id=LSuT-3GQL-QC&pg=PA288&lpg=PA288&dq=stethojulis+albovittata&source=bl&ots=y4T5Mx_yij&sig=1OOpmIrFBrDM29vYxLt-4W0mquM&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj-rJGf_6HfAhWORhUIHa3CCAY4KBDoATAGegQICBAB#v=onepage&q=stethojulis%20albovittata&f=false.

IUCN. ‘Zanclus Cornutus: Carpenter, K.E., Lawrence, A. & Myers, R.: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: E.T69741115A69742744’. International Union for Conservation of Nature, 10 March 2015. https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T69741115A69742744.en.

Myers, R., Kent E. Carpenter, and A. Lawrence. ‘The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species’. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 2016. https://www.iucnredlist.org/en.

Paśko, Łukasz. ‘Tool-like Behavior in the Sixbar Wrasse, Thalassoma Hardwicke (Bennett, 1830)’. Zoo Biology 29, no. 6 (December 2010): 767–73. https://doi.org/10.1002/zoo.20307.

Pollard, D., and A. Cabanban. ‘The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species’. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 2010. https://www.iucnredlist.org/en.

Shea, S., M. Liu, and Y. Sadovy. ‘The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species’. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 2010. https://www.iucnredlist.org/en.

‘Stethojulis Albovittata’. Accessed 15 December 2018. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/187632/8585850.

‘Stethojulis Albovittata, Bluelined Wrasse : Aquarium’. Accessed 15 December 2018. https://www.fishbase.de/summary/8025.

‘Stethojulis Bandanensis’. Accessed 15 December 2018. http://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/276.

‘Stethojulis Bandanensis’. Accessed 15 December 2018. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/187424/8532024.

‘Stethojulis Bandanensis, Red Shoulder Wrasse : Fisheries, Aquarium’. Accessed 15 December 2018. http://www.fishbase.org/summary/5640.

‘Thalassoma Genivittatum | DORIS’. Accessed 24 December 2018. http://doris.ffessm.fr/Especes/Girelle-paon-bariolee3.

‘Thalassoma Genivittatum Summary Page’. FishBase. Accessed 24 December 2018. https://www.fishbase.us/summary/Thalassoma-genivittatum.html.

‘Thalassoma Hardwicke | DORIS’. Accessed 24 December 2018. http://doris.ffessm.fr/Especes/Girelle-paon-a-taches-d-encre3.

‘Thalassoma Hardwicke Summary Page’. FishBase. Accessed 24 December 2018. https://www.fishbase.us/summary/Thalassoma-hardwicke.html.

‘The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species’. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 2018. https://www.iucnredlist.org/en.

‘Zanclus Cornutus Summary Page’. FishBase. Accessed 24 December 2018. https://www.fishbase.us/summary/Zanclus-cornutus.html.

‘Zebrasoma Scopas | DORIS’. Accessed 24 December 2018. http://doris.ffessm.fr/Especes/Chirurgien-voile-brun3.

‘Zebrasoma Scopas Summary Page’. FishBase. Accessed 24 December 2018. https://www.fishbase.us/summary/Zebrasoma-scopas.html.

Other Ecosystems