Achilles tang - Expert only?

[Palting]

Before any one gets on my case, yes, I did read the primer on this fish, but could not find my answer.

I've kept multiple tangs, all growing from juvenile to adult over several years. Purple, naso, tennenti, blue.......all are classified as "Care level: Moderate".

So, what makes an Achilles care level "Expert Only"?

Thanks in advance!

 

[SoloChromis]

They hail from the surge zones of the reef, so hectic flow and high oxygen levels, which is difficult to replicate. They just tend to become spastic in more average sized tanks, same as the clown tangs (2 of the most beautiful tangs available coincidentally).

 

[Palting]

Thanks, SoloChromis.

I have 4 1500 GPH powerheads and a 1500 GPH at 4foot head return pump, all at cross angles from each other with resulting chaotic flow. Tank is a 6 foot 150 gallon, so it may be a tad small front to back at 18", but should have the length at 72". Skimmer rated for 300 gallon churning lots of bubbles. Full open top, with 50 gallon sump also with open top, and the refugium has healthy growth of macro's churning out O2 via photosynthesis. So, for flow and oxygenating, I think I've got that covered.

It's a tang, so should have lots of Nori for feeding. It's a mixed reef tank, so water is pristine.

Anything I'm missing? If I get one, this will be one of my most expensive fish.

 

[sanchoy]

I had my Achilles for over 5 years now. I had from the size of 3 inches, now he is approximately 8-9 inches.

-Prepare for ick
-high flow tank is a must to reduce stress
-don't have large tangs that will bully him
-feed Mysis and NLS pellets

Once adapted, the Achilles can be hardy. However, at the first initial phase many are lost due to high stress-low immune systems. I know many reefers near me who had better luck will smaller specimens as they adapt better to captivity. I knew plenty of others who went after larger Achilles and lost them due to stress.

 

[Palting]

The potential for Ich and how to deal with it is one of my concerns, sanchoy.

I have a 20 gallon long fully cycled QT serviced by a HOB filter with a flow of 400GPH. That's 20X the tank volume. I suppose I could add a small powerhead to augment flow. Anyway, the Achilles would be in that tank for 4-6 weeks, the period of time it would take to prophylactically treat for Ich with hyposalinity. Think that's okay?

 

[Dmorty217]

IMO 150g is too small for a AT. What other fish are in the tank? High flow, prestige water conditions and sound QT practices are a must with this fish.

 

[Palting]

Love the avatar, Dmorty.

Yup, the 150 does not have the front to back dimension of a 180/220, but it does have their 6 foot length. Anyhow, the tank at this time only has 4 fish: a copperband, a blue mandarin, a purple firefish, and one solitary chromis. The tank is the same as my signature, except that it crashed when I was out of town and the GFCI tripped shutting down the tank. Tank is now recovered, electrical connections re-assigned so it will not completely shut down again. The Achilles will rule the tank if I get one.

 

[Dmorty217]

Thanks! All I can say is build the system around the AT. I had 250xs turn over within my DT and my AT wanted more flow

 

[Holsteiner]

When we got ours 4 years ago it was 3 1\2" and was started in a 6 foot tank. Didn't take long to outgrow and now he's in a 8' tank and he's almost 8" long. You can see how fat the monster is in my avatar ;-) He's one of the hardiest fish we've ever had, however, careful consideration was paid to how he was started in he beginning and everything has been bought with him and his environment in mind.

 

[bobkill]

They are diffcult to get to eat prepared and ich bombs - qt for ich potential is a must- and they don't really come in 'small' 3 inch is about as small as you can find -

 

[bobkill]

 

[Palting]

If you are trying to dissuade me, Bobkill, you are doing a poor job. That is one gorgeous photo .

They are also on sale at LA. I so want to pull the trigger!

 

[pinnatus]

Bobkill - that looks like a hybrid to me.

Achilles are definitely ich magnets. They definitely prefer high flow, and need lots of swimming room. They can be aggressive with others. Other than those attributes, they are an easy fish to keep. The ich thing is really an issue though and cannot be understated. They are one of my favorite fishes.

 

[ca1ore]

QT is an absolute must for this fish - both to ensure it is parasite free and to get it eating in a non competitive environment. I had mine in QT for over 4 months before I could get it to eat anything other than brine (and I tried everything). QT was a 30L with two larger power heads on one end - sort of a fish equivalent to those endless pools Even with all that, success will be heavily dependent on getting a good specimen. I would trust DD, but otherwise would want to see it myself in the store. When I bought mine I had the pick of a trio and selected the one that looked the most robust with at least a passing interest in food. I know the reefers who bought the other two, and mine is the only survivor.

Following this approach, I have had pretty good luck with Achilles Tangs, though have always had large tanks. Ironically, the Naso is my problem Tang. Cannot keep one alive - not really sure why.

 

[Dmorty217]

If you are trying to dissuade me, Bobkill, you are doing a poor job. That is one gorgeous photo .

They are also on sale at LA. I so want to pull the trigger!

That's a hybrid that bobkill put a picture up of. Maybe he would be kind enough to share a picture of Casper with us. They are truly regal and majestic fish and with the proper care and husbandry can be the centerpiece of any tank. If you get one I would spend the extra $ on one from LiveAquaria. The juvenile I had ate within 2 hrs of being out of the bag. I would suggest TTM followed by 2 rounds of PP. Also the key is to make sure your DT is free of ich

 

[Dmorty217]

Following this approach, I have had pretty good luck with Achilles Tangs, though have always had large tanks. Ironically, the Naso is my problem Tang. Cannot keep one alive - not really sure why.

I seem to have the same problem Simon. I haven't tried another in years because I haven't had any luck with them. I always thought maybe it was cyanide but I could be wrong

 

[pinnatus]

I definitely think cyanide is the problem with Nasos, particularly blonde Nasos. The black nasos come from Hawaii, and do not have the cyanide problems of the blondes. One of my LFS gets blondes that have not been cyanided and they do just fine, but i went through several from another LFS, they look healthy, eat, but then mysteriously die after a few weeks or even a few months..

 

[keepswimming]

If you are trying to dissuade me, Bobkill, you are doing a poor job. That is one gorgeous photo .

They are also on sale at LA. I so want to pull the trigger!

Where are they on sale in LA? I recently moved from sd to La county and lost my achilles due to the move. I am looking to get another to put in my qt while my display settles. thanks!

 

[Palting]

Where are they on sale in LA? I recently moved from sd to La county and lost my achilles due to the move. I am looking to get another to put in my qt while my display settles. thanks!

LA = LiveAquaria. Achilles Tang, Adult - Medium, Was $ 279.99 Now $189.99

It's in my cart, cursor still just hanging over the "Enter" key.

Purple tang on sale as well. May have to use my spare 55 gallon as a QT if I get both.

GAHHHH!

I've had good luck with a naso in the tank for 4 years before the tank crashed from stagnation when the GFCI tripped. Here's a photo of all 4 tangs, all grew together from juvenile to adult in 4 years:

 

[DasCamel]

Bobkill - that looks like a hybrid to me.

Achilles are definitely ich magnets. They definitely prefer high flow, and need lots of swimming room. They can be aggressive with others. Other than those attributes, they are an easy fish to keep. The ich thing is really an issue though and cannot be understated. They are one of my favorite fishes.

+1

Powder Blue Achilles Hybrid, if not more!