Brown Tang Zebrasoma scopas

The Brown Tang, also called the Brushtail, Brown Sailfin and Scopas, is native to tropical reefs of the Indo-Pacific Ocean. "Brown" doesn't do justice to its colours, lines and spots.

Tangs are also known as Surgeonfish because of the sharp, scalpel-like spines at each side before the tail. These are used to defend against rivals and predators. Like many tangs, they can expand their dorsal and anal fins like sails. (Another fish, the Lavender Tang, is also known as the Brown Surgeonfish Acanthurus nigrofuscus.)

They can look quite black but the give away is the orange pectoral fin. They can grow to some 40 cm long. Adults form groups but are monogamous. They are herbivorous, eating algae.