mitchelobrien
New member
Hi, Ive always loved the Achilles Tang but never thought I could have it. Has anyone had experience keeping it in a 90 gallon tank. I know people suggest 6 feet, but would 2 feet smaller make a difference?
Achilles Tang????
- Thread starter mitchelobrien
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Dmorty217
Saltwater Addict
No way will this work out, Achilles tangs need a TON of flow, not to mention prestine water that is well oxygenated. Back to the flow thing for a second, IMO you can't create enough flow in your 90g tank to keep the AT happy without the water literally being thrown out of the tank. Ie... When mine was going thru TT, I did it with 8g tanks that had power heads that put out 1400gph and the tang wanted more. Then in my DT she would swim directly at my MP60 at full blast and couldn't get enough. Mine was in a 220g and I think that size tank is too small for a Achilles so your 90g is just a bad idea. Also not sure how up on diseases and treatments you are but a QT and proactively treating the AT with PP and CP or cupramine is a must. I'm assuming the current fish in the DT were never QTed and proactively treated for ich, if not all of them would need to be treated and the DT would need to be left fish less for 10 wks because your DT has ich, even if you don't and haven't seen it
Holsteiner
New member
i've had my guy for a little over a year now, he's in a 6 foot tank and after having him this long I think even 6 feet is to short for him. A 4 foot tank would just be to stressful and you're asking for problems.
Gogandantess
New member
A 6ft tank will do. And your tank must be ich free.
RayL
New member
I have a 6' tank and the Achilles is one of my favourite fish, but after seeing one in my cousins 10' tank, I know it wouldn't be fair to put one in my tank. The fish is only about 5" but it swims the length of his tank in no time and does it constantly. I would strongly recommend not getting the Achilles for a 4' tank
cornerjag
New member
haha I was thinking I about getting the Achilles but I will have to wait until I upgrade from my 90 as well. I have a powder brown that is about to outgrow my 90 as well and is a beautiful fish. I am curious when people say expert only. I understand that the Achilles need a large tank with a lot of flow but are they difficult to feed as well?
It has been a while since I kept an Achilles, but essentially they are a 'nervous' fish, incredibly susceptible to skin parasites, that need lots of room and lots of flow. If you can provide the space and the flow, and are sure you have an ich-free tank and can provide adequate QT facilities .... then it is a consideration. Personally, I never had issues getting these fish to eat, though I did have some trouble getting them through copper unscathed.
IMO, there are 'expert only' fish that can be managed, if you can provide the right conditions, and those that just shouldn't be attempted. I'd put the Achilles in the former category.
Rea17
New member
They can be hard to get feeding at first, but once over that hurdle things go much easier. I think a lot of the "expert only" status is due to disease prevention being mandatory, this means a thorough quarantine and treatment of every member of the tank, not just the achilles. Also, good water quality and turbulent flow are musts. I have two right now, and they are a rewarding and majestic fish, but a large tank is vital.
