Description:

Dorsal spines: 4-5; Dorsal rays: 23-25; Anal spines: 3; Anal rays: 19-21.

Dark brown body often becoming yellowish brown anteriorly. Pale blue dots on head and anterior body forming irregular lines by midbody. There is a dense oval zone of 
coarse setae anterior to the caudal peduncle. The head has a distinctive protruding mouth giving the dorsal and ventral a strongly concave profile. Dorsal fin is high. 
Fins dark brown except pectorals which have clear membranes. Caudal fin truncate. Small juveniles have yellowish bars and more prominent yellow specks than adults.

Maturity: Lm unknown. Range unknown. Max Length: 40cm SL
 

Occurs in coral-rich areas of lagoon and seaward reefs at depths between 1-60m. It grazes on algal turf. Usually in groups of some 20 specimens. Juveniles are solitary  
and usually found in areas of high coral cover. It has been reported to form resident spawning aggregations. It was however reported to pair spawn at Aldabra 
(Robertson et al 1979).

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is caught in nets but is a very rare component of the catch.

Abesamis, R. et al. (2012). Zebrasoma scopas. The IUCN Red List 2012: e.T178005A1518420. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012.RLTS.T178005A1518420.en. (20/10/18).
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. Eds. (2018). FishBase https://www.fishbase.de/summary/Zebrasoma-scopas.html  (20/10/18)
Randall, J.E. (2001). Surgeonfishes of Hawaii and the World. ISBN: 1-56647-561-9
Robertson, R. et al. (1979). The behavioral ecology of three Indian Ocean surgeonfishes (Acanthurus lineatus, A. leucosternon and Zebrasoma scopas): their feeding 
strategies, and social and mating systems. Environmental Biology of Fishes 4(2): 125-170.
 

Nevill, J.E.G. (2019). Zebrasoma scopas, Twotone tang. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/zebrasoma-scopas-cuvier-1829/ (edited 17/06/22).