achlies tang

[120reefermadnes]

I was looking at buying an achlies tang at my lfs but its "neck" area is a pale white color

Is this normal?

 

[pinnatus]

Not sure where a fish's neck is, but this is what one would look like:

Keep in mind that Achilles are a difficult fish to keep, and very very prone to ich. Make sure to quarantine. Make sure it is eating before you buy. Also, a minimum tank size of 180gallons is recommended for these fish. They are extremely active swimmers - they live where the waves crash onto the reef.

 

[120reefermadnes]

Ok sorry maybe neck was the wrong term how about "throat"?

See in the pic how there is a lighter area below its gills?

But its alot lighter in color than the one in the pic alot younger too though

 

[120reefermadnes]

Are purple tangs easier to keep?

 

[DustyReefer]

Are purple tangs easier to keep?

Yes purple tangs are easier IMO, and if you intend on putting this fish in the 120 stated in your sig then I'd go with the purple. Achilles need a larger tank than a 120.

 

[pinnatus]

I agree, a purple would be a better choice.

Tangs can change their color somewhat, depending on mood, and also at night. A lighter colored chest can be a normal color for them to some extent. I have seen Achilles go very pale too with the orange staying bright.

But normally they should look like the picture.

 

[Gogandantess]

Are purple tangs easier to keep?

Beware, purples are one of the meanest tangs from experience. My old one would fight with my Bariene who was bigger. It even flared up against the much larger Naso. I sold it once it swiped my Bariene.

 

[pinnatus]

I had always heard that too. I had a very large Purple and it was docile. Maybe swish a new fish with his tail a time or two, then go back to normal. Guess it depends on the individual fish.

 

[120reefermadnes]

Are they aggressive to all other fish or just other tangs?

 

[pinnatus]

Tangs are normally aggressive to newcomers, then they will usually settle down and get along. There is always the rogue that won't get along. I had a Sohal that was pure evil. So again, other than the initial aggression that always happens when a new fish is added, generally tangs will get along. This goes for tangs as well as other fish.

Many people will say not to mix tangs of the same body type, like a yellow and a purple. I have not found that to be the case, it seems that tangs will generally get along if they have enough space.

 

[reef80]

My purple will fend itself when terrorize by others but he is not a bully by any means. Both my yellows are worst. My archillis is a bully and will chase both my kole around and fend his terriority w/ my blochii who is twice his size. Purples are much hardier then Archillis. And yes...it is normal for Archillis to have that white pale underneath its throat area. At the end of the day...I think that aggressions is hit and miss w/ these fishes. Just like human races...these fishes are also sterortype and classified in their own ways... However, both are good choices of tangs...good luck!

 

[Squidmotron]

My juvenile Achilles tang has that white patch.

 

[auem]

OP,
are you talking about this type of AT?

 

[wayne_sreef]

It is quite normal for AT to change color at different condition. My AT will get this pale white color when it is upset or showing aggression. Sometime the AT whole body will turn to pale white when the cleaner wrasse is doing the cleaning.

 

[angelfish boy]

OP,
are you talking about this type of AT?

I want that regal angel!!!

 

[120reefermadnes]

Thats exactly what I was talking about