Species: Zebrasoma scopas, Brown Sailfin-tang, Brushtail Sailfin-tang

Zebrasoma scopas (Cuvier, 1829)

Brushtail Sailfin-tang, Brown Sailfin-tang

Body a strongly compressed disc; body depth of adults 57 % SL; head profile steep; eye high on side of head; snout strongly extended, ~57% SL; top and bottom snout profiles concave; mouth small, protrusible; teeth are toothed spatulas; dorsal fin V (IV-V), 23-25; A III, 19-21, dorsal and anal fins extremely elevated, longest D ray 29% SL; pectoral 14-16; pelvic fin I, 5; tail fin straight edge; an oval patch of brush-like setae on rear side of body; a single depressible spine fits into a groove on the side of the tail base; scales very small, rough; lateral line complete.

Dark brown; often shading to yellow-brown at front; head with dense tiny pale dots, body with dense thin pale lines; iris reddish brown; tail spine white. Juvenile: dark brown fading to yellow brown at front, ~18 thin pale yellow bars on front of body; head densely covered with tiny pale dots.

Reaches 22 cm.

Coral reefs and rocky bottoms

Depth range 1-60 m

Indo-central Pacific; introduced to southeast Florida.