{"product_id":"blue-face-koi-scopas-tang","title":"Blue Face Koi Scopas Tang | Zebrasoma scopas","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Blue Face Koi Scopas Tang is a striking colour form of the hardy Scopas Tang, prized for its mottled koi-like patchwork of black, white and orange with distinctive facial markings. It is one of the tougher, more forgiving tangs, active and algae-hungry, making it a great centrepiece for a larger reef.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Scopas Tang is associated with coral-rich reefs and lagoons of the Indo-Pacific, where it grazes micro and macro algae from rock and reef surfaces throughout the day. Koi and colour variants are individual pattern morphs of this same species. Replicating this environment means providing mature live rock with algae for grazing, open swimming space and good, well-oxygenated flow. A settled aquarium with established algae growth suits it best.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe standard Scopas Tang is brown with fine lines and a disc-shaped body; the Blue Face Koi form shows an irregular patchwork of black, white and orange with pale facial markings, and each individual is unique. It reaches up to about 22 cm, though many stay smaller. Like all surgeonfish it carries a sharp scalpel near the tail base. Healthy specimens are alert, grazing actively and well-filled through the body, without pinched bellies, cloudy eyes or rapid breathing.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperament is best described as semi-aggressive, particularly towards other tangs and fish of similar shape. It generally mixes well with dissimilar reef fish. Suitable companions include clownfish, wrasses, angels, rabbitfish, chromis and other robust reef fish. Housing it with other tangs is best attempted only in larger aquariums with careful planning. Add it to a settled aquarium and avoid combinations that lead to constant chasing.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeeding should be predominantly herbivorous. Offer dried marine algae and nori on a clip, algae-based flakes and pellets, and a rotation of prepared herbivore foods, ideally several small feeds through the day. Natural algae in the tank supplements the diet. Occasional meaty foods such as mysis shrimp can be offered, but the diet should remain mostly plant based. A well-fed scopas tang holds better colour and is less likely to nip at corals.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor long-term success, provide a minimum aquarium size of 300 L, with 450 L or larger recommended for swimming room and long-term stability. Maintain temperature at 24–26°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity around 1.020–1.026. Good, well-oxygenated flow is important. Lighting can be standard reef lighting. Provide open swimming space and mature live rock for grazing. Strong filtration, protein skimming and regular water changes of 10–20% are recommended. Surgeonfish are prone to white spot, so stable water quality and a quarantine routine are advised. This species is considered reef safe when well fed.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBreeding in the home aquarium is not achieved and should not be expected. Surgeonfish spawn in open water with drifting planktonic larvae requiring specialised conditions far beyond normal home aquarium keeping. For hobbyists, the focus should be on long-term health, correct herbivorous feeding, excellent water quality and low stress.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZebrasoma scopas\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlue Face Koi Scopas Tang (colour form of Scopas Tang)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndo-Pacific coral reefs and lagoons\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUp to 22 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOften 10 years or more with excellent care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive, especially to other tangs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e300 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e450 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHerbivore; marine algae, nori and algae-based prepared foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–26°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.1–8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.020–1.026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEstablished reef and fish-only systems\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef safe (when well fed)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include clownfish, wrasses, angels, rabbitfish, chromis and other robust reef fish that differ in shape and colour.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with other tangs in all but larger systems, highly aggressive fish that will harass it, and avoid adding it to newly set-up tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55234121072931,"sku":"AA5001-S","price":655.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55234121105699,"sku":"AA5001-M","price":755.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55234121138467,"sku":"AA5001-L","price":870.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-20cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55351918919971,"sku":"AA5001-XL","price":999.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/blue-face-koi-scopas-tang-43090654691619.webp?v=1790305595","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/blue-face-koi-scopas-tang","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}