Twotone tang
Zebrasoma scopas
Valid name (FishBase; confirmed in Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes and WoRMS, October 2026).
- English
- Twotone tang
- Scientific
- Zebrasoma scopas
- Dhivehi
- ކަޅު ދުންފަތް މަސްKalhu dhunfaiy mas
- Group
- Reef fish
- Maximum size
- Up to about 40 cm (standard length) (FishBase); MRS 1997 gives max. 18.5 cm
- Depth and habitat
- Coral reefs and reef-associated habitats, recorded from 0 to 60 m (usually 1 to 60 m)
- IUCN status
- LC · Least ConcernLeast Concern (LC), assessed 2010
Description
A small, deep-bodied tang, dark olive-brown with very fine wavy pale lines that break into dots on the head, and a white tail spine. It grazes algae in coral-rich lagoon and outer reefs, alone or in small groups. Small juveniles have yellowish bars.
In the Maldives
Dhivehi name kalhu dhunfaiy mas (MRS 1997). MRS calls it one of the commonest Maldivian reef fishes, easily overlooked because of its sombre colour.
Sources
- fishbase.se /summary/Zebrasoma-scopas.html
- fao.org /4/AD471E/AD471E00.htm
- fishbase.se /comnames/CommonNamesList.php?ID=5951&GenusName=Zebrasoma&SpeciesName=
- dv.wikipedia.org /wiki/ކަޅު_ދުންފަތް_މަސް
- commons.wikimedia.org /wiki/File:Zebrasoma_scopas.jpg
Dhivehi name source: M.R.S. (1997) Fishes of the Maldives (FAO/BOBP MAG/21) gives 'Kalhu dhunfaiy mas' (Latin form). FishBase (country: Maldives) agrees: 'Dhunfaiy mas'. Thaana from the Dhivehi Wikipedia article 'ކަޅު ދުންފަތް މަސް' (derived from the MRS 1997 Dhivehi edition); it matches the Latin form. FLAG: the source states no traditional name was recorded and this descriptive name was coined for the book; it is not an established fishermen's name.