Home · Acanthuridae · Bluelined sailfin tang
Bluelined sailfin tang (Zebrasoma scopas) — Acanthuridae

Bluelined sailfin tang

Zebrasoma scopas
Family: Acanthuridae
LC · Least Concern

The Bluelined sailfin tang (Zebrasoma scopas) is a saltwater fish of the family Acanthuridae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–60.0 m
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The twotone tang is a surgeonfish of the family Acanthuridae from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 40 cm and has a deep, laterally compressed body grading from brown to darker, with fine dots and lines; juveniles have a higher dorsal and anal fin. It occurs in coral-rich parts of lagoon and seaward reefs. As a herbivore it grazes filamentous algae from corals and rocks. On each side of the tail base it bears a sharp, scalpel-like spine that can give deep cuts; never grab the fish by the tail. The species is popular in the marine aquarium.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bluelined sailfin tang?

The Bluelined sailfin tang has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Bluelined sailfin tang live?

The Bluelined sailfin tang lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Bluelined sailfin tang get?

The Bluelined sailfin tang grows to a maximum of about 40 cm.

Is the Bluelined sailfin tang dangerous to humans?

No, the Bluelined sailfin tang is harmless to humans.

Is the Bluelined sailfin tang edible?

The Bluelined sailfin tang is rarely eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bruine zeelandjonker sourced
English name
Bluelined sailfin tang verified
Scientific name
Zebrasoma scopas
Family
Acanthuridae
Other names
Blue-lined tang; Brown tang verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
40.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
60.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
33.0 sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Zebrasoma

More from the family Acanthuridae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →