Reefbuilders is the home of saltwater color morphs and has covered more koi, calico, yellow and piebald Scopas tangs than anyone else. So let us introduce you to our next example of polychromatism in Zebrasoma scopas, the Bicolor.
With markings more like that of Chromis margaritifer this striking black and white Scopas tang couldn’t be more different to its Brown tang common name, and will appeal to rare fish collectors who struggle to justify investing in some of the more Khaki colored “tricolor” scopas which have been offered of late.
The oreo-themed Penguin Tang turned up in Yorkshire, UK, at retailer Number One Marine, with store owner Darren Parker undecided on whether or not to sell it or to keep it in his own private collection, which already includes tricolor examples of the same species. Number One secured the unique Zebrasoma from wholesaler Tropical Marine Centre after buying another tricolor before it. TMC is remaining tight-lipped as to where the fish was collected from and hasn’t released catch site data to its new owner.
Hotspots where aberrant scopas tangs are commonly found include Java in Indonesia and the Maldives in the Indian Ocean so we suspect it’s collected from either area and wherever it is, it’s probably home to more color aberrations.
TMC told Darren because it was so unusual, he could name it, with “Penguin” tang being a fitting moniker. Darren has had the tang for over a month now and these recent photos show some hints of yellow coming through on the front half of the fish’s body when the first, low-res image released to Reefbuilders showed more solid black and white shortly after arrival.
Like the Koi carp that these tangs are also named after, the color and pattern on Koi tangs is very fluid and can alter dramatically even within the space of a week. We’ll be interested to see how the color develops on this Penguin and if it’s going to stay solid black and white or later erupt into a yellow, black and white tricolor tang.
