Achilles vs. Atlantic blue care requirements

[tektite]

How hard to keep or how sensitive is the Achilles tang compared to the Atlantic blue tang? I've been told by a couple people that the Atlantic blue is supposed to be a more sensitive tang. I haven't had a problem with it (had for 7 months now), its very active and fat, never shown ich either. I would love to keep an Achilles, but am leary of its reputation.

My favorite LFS has a small Achilles and it is sooo tempting!

 

[Reefing Newbie]

Depending on your tank size you may not be able to keep both. Generally speaking tangs of the same genus shouldn't be mixed unless the tank is fairly large. How big is your tank?

 

[Inklinkerman]

very similar care, I agree would be very cautious about adding both.

 

[tektite]

I know that they're in the same genus, I just want to know how more difficult it is to keep the Achilles over the Atlantic. The tank's a 150 gallon. I can easily find the Atlantic a good home if I get the Achilles.

 

[Inklinkerman]

imo no more diffucult, same requirements, same ich risk, different price tag

 

[tektite]

Lol, that's for sure! I think its helped the Atlantic that the bulk of its diet is fresh macroalgae that I grow in the sump. Instead of chaeto I use red gracilaria, red grape (botryocladia), and dragon's tongue halymenia. I use the extra growth to feed the tangs, they absolutely love it!

 

[jjk_reef00]

From what I've heard Atlantic blue is much hardier, and I wouldn't try those two in a 150.
Assuming your Atlantic blue is 6", I don't think he will take well to a new achilies. Read the achillies premier to see how difficult they can be.

 

[djze]

you can't even compare the 2 the achilles is way more sensitive then the atlantic blue i have both species but in separate tanks since you have the atlantic bue already he wont accept the introduction of the achilles atantics can be extremely aggressive also if your system is not totally parasite free it will be almost imposable to keep an achilles alive for the long run