achilles tang

Paaty

Paaty

Member
I have a 6 year old 6 inch Achilles tang that I moved over Saturday night to my new aquarium and he seems to be stressed swimming back and forth from one end to another. If I feed he will eat and then goes back to his laps.

It is not due to water change as it is the same water as the tank he was in, the old 150g and new 350g have been plumbed together for about 2 months.

Not sure if it is just the new environment change that is causing the stress or the new tank mates, none of which have shown any aggressive behavior towards him. He is also the largest tang in the tank.

Anyone have any ideas? should I just wait and hope he settles down?

Thanks
 
You just notice this behavior? What's the flow like in the tank? Sounds like the fish is stressed from the move and lack of flow. A few of the Acanthurus tangs will exhibit this same behavior if there isn't enought flow ( AT, clown)
 
He is eating well and does not show signs of illness. i thought i had enough flow, but that could be the issue. I am currently running 2 tunze 6100 on one end and 4 tunze 6000 on the other end plus my return from my sump.
 
My tangs "paced" for a few days after I upgraded from my 210 to 520, and I should mention they never did in the smaller tank. IMO/IME after a move it isn't unusual behavior, but if it goes on it should be looked into.
 
He is getting better he still paces but it is not constant anymore. I tried measuring him today and he is actually about 7.5 inches ant not 6. He is fat but a very finicky eater, he will not eat mysis or pellets. He basically only eats flake food and nori. I tried for the longest time to take other foods but he wont eat it.
 
Yeah, some of them can be finicky. I've got one now that after about 10 months is now eating pretty much anything; but after six years you've pretty much got what you've got. Achilles do pace, probably more than any other healthy fish I have kept. Moving it to a 350 is plenty of space but as others have noted you may now simply have inadequate flow. I'd think dual MP60s (or equivalent) as a minimum. Also, how often do you feed nori? If that's its main food, ought to be daily.
 
I feed nori about 2-3 times a week and I feed flakes 1-3 times a day. the flakes I use are formule 2 flakes - omega 1 flakes and I have just started using nls flakes.
 
Mine went from 4" to 7 1/2" in about 3 years. He still only eats NLS pellets, nori and flakes. All of the tank upgrades and moves we've had our Achilles has always settled in right away and never paced (I think he's to fat to pace ;-) Sounds like your guy is just readjusting, main thing is he is still eating. Good luck and post some pics when everyone is settled in!
 
Just wanted give an update my achilles is doing much better and acting normal again. I will try to post a pic later.
 
Congrats! I am glad he is healthy. BTW I am not sure there is such a thing as a bad pic of an Achilles. I have always been scared to get one due to their health reputations.
 
Paaty said:
I feed nori about 2-3 times a week and I feed flakes 1-3 times a day. the flakes I use are formule 2 flakes - omega 1 flakes and I have just started using nls flakes.
Click to expand...

I'd definitely up the nori feedings to daily, especially with all of the other fish in the tank that would benefit. Everyone looks good though, glad his behavior returned to normal.

My achilles gets nori 2-3 times a day and has taken flakes/pellets from early on, but just recently started going after mysis and other frozen foods with the rest of the fish, after about 2 years of having him. Their habits can change!
 
I have been pretty lucky with Achilles tangs, this is the 3rd one I have had in the last 12 years. The first one I was way to in experienced to own, I purchased it for my 75g and it died in less than 3 months and was always sick.

The next one I got was from a local reefer that had it for 3 years and I put it in a 150g and I had it for another 3 years but it did not survive my last move about 7 years ago.

This is my third and he has been with me for about 6 years and one move and an upgrade. he is my favorite fish and hope to have him for many years to come.


The fish that I have the most trouble keeping is a powder blue tang. I am on my 3rd attempt and have not been able to keep one longer than 1 year. I have a nice 5 inch one now doing really well hopefully it lasts.
 
Paaty said:
The fish that I have the most trouble keeping is a powder blue tang. I am on my 3rd attempt and have not been able to keep one longer than 1 year. I have a nice 5 inch one now doing really well hopefully it lasts.
Click to expand...

How does the Achilles and the Powder Blue get along. I would love to be able to keep both of them in my tank, but worry that they will not cohabitate well.

Beautiful Achilles by the way.
 
We give our Achilles almost unlimited nori during the day since I'm at home frequently. But he's also about 4" thick ;-) That's great that you've had him 6 years, I keep posting pics of mine and trying to find people that have maintained them over the years but not many people respond. You're also fortunate he gets along with the powder blue, we added ours at 4" to our tank with an already established purple tang. After that there was to be no more fish added...the Achilles will kill anything you try to add. So this tank remains just the purple and him along with an old clownfish.
 
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