Experience with Achilles Tang
- Thread starter Drewbaby
- Start date
I absolutely love mine. It's easily the most active fish in the tank and spends a lot of time surfing on the outflow from the power heads. It was a very finicky eater when first introduced and would only eat nori and what it could pick from the rocks. Finally, after probably 2 months in the tank it began to sample Formula 2 and now, after another two months, it will generally eat everything I put in the tank.
I'm assuming that Steve's link is pointing you to the Achilles primer. Let me try to distill what you're going to find there to a couple key guidelines. QT this fish in a well established and religiously maintained tank. QT for a full 8 weeks. Make sure to keep nori on hand as it may be the only thing your fish will eat initially. Do not put this fish in a small tank or a tank that doesn't offer opportunities for the fish to forage. Do not add this fish to a tank that has recently had ich, even if you believe it to be gone. Provide areas of strong current flow for the fish to swim in. They're powerful swimmers and need these currents and plenty of room to be happy.
Check out that primer and if you think you can provide the fish a suitable environment get one. They're striking fish and not one that's seen very often.
Mike
I'm assuming that Steve's link is pointing you to the Achilles primer. Let me try to distill what you're going to find there to a couple key guidelines. QT this fish in a well established and religiously maintained tank. QT for a full 8 weeks. Make sure to keep nori on hand as it may be the only thing your fish will eat initially. Do not put this fish in a small tank or a tank that doesn't offer opportunities for the fish to forage. Do not add this fish to a tank that has recently had ich, even if you believe it to be gone. Provide areas of strong current flow for the fish to swim in. They're powerful swimmers and need these currents and plenty of room to be happy.
Check out that primer and if you think you can provide the fish a suitable environment get one. They're striking fish and not one that's seen very often.
Mike
sporto0
New member
The Achilles tang is my favorite fish, I have had my current one for a little over 5 years now, as far finicky eaters go, I believe mcoomer nailed it, they are a little harder to get to eat at first, but now mine will take flakes right from my fingers. I always get live brine shrimp or live baby brine, no fish I've come across can resist them, it absolutely needs nori tho, & if possible let it pick at some all day. Like all Tangs it likes to swim & also has a temper, not the most agressive surgeon fish nor the least. I would say it should be your first tang if you plan to keep several types. Just remember if you decide to get one, they will require your attention for a while, especially in QT, once established though, they are no different than any other fish in our tanks, except for their AWESOMENESS! You can see mine on the right side of my avatar, right above the Hippo.
I think that Mike provided a great summary. If you can do it that way, you will be rewarded with a gorgeous and interesting fish.
kdrof
New member
My achilles is definately my favorite fish i have ever had. I have had him for two months now and have never had any problems a lot of people associate with the fish. He eats well and started eating find in QT. He eats flakes, nori like a pig. He will pick at a little mysis. He is very active in the DT. He gets along with everything now... Yesterday i introduced my Naso tang and he wasnt a happy camper for the first little bit. But they seem to get along fine now. Only one little debocle this morning for a second. But other than that swimming around with each other.
But this fish is the most active in the tank, all over and always never shy to come right up to the glass by you. If you have the chance probably introduce after other tangs.. he doesnt like new ones in his house... O yea one last thing.. King of the tank
But this fish is the most active in the tank, all over and always never shy to come right up to the glass by you. If you have the chance probably introduce after other tangs.. he doesnt like new ones in his house... O yea one last thing.. King of the tank
Sorry, but I'd wait until you get the big tank. Probably not what you want to hear but this is definitely one hobby that rewards patience and punishes ill advised decisions. I've wanted a Sohal tang for years and years and thought that my 180 would finally allow me to get one. After getting some advice on here I decided to pass on that fish. If I ever go to a 240 or bigger though...
You know what...let me rephrase my answer. I'd recommend against it but I hear folks on here that keep these fish in 125s. If you have 5' 125 I suppose you can give it a go but that would be the absolute minimum size I could see that would give you any chance of keeping that fish. As it grows it will quickly outgrow that tank though.
Mike
You know what...let me rephrase my answer. I'd recommend against it but I hear folks on here that keep these fish in 125s. If you have 5' 125 I suppose you can give it a go but that would be the absolute minimum size I could see that would give you any chance of keeping that fish. As it grows it will quickly outgrow that tank though.
Mike
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I respect your honesty in saying the tank is probably a little on the small side. I know the Achilles are extremely active compared to alot of Tangs. There were a couple of other Tangs I had thought about instead, but the Achilles was top on my list. Such a beautiful fish.
My 125 is a brand new 6' corner drilled tank that will be running heavy flow and higher lighting to support the sps I plan to keep in there. I wouldn't want to risk losing the Achilles due to tank size and if my tank is indeed too small then I'm ok with that.
If I were to get a smaller achilles, say ~2" size at what size do you think it would need to be relocated?
Thanks again for everyones help
My 125 is a brand new 6' corner drilled tank that will be running heavy flow and higher lighting to support the sps I plan to keep in there. I wouldn't want to risk losing the Achilles due to tank size and if my tank is indeed too small then I'm ok with that.
If I were to get a smaller achilles, say ~2" size at what size do you think it would need to be relocated?
Thanks again for everyones help
geaux xman
New member
as mentioned above, one point that cant be emphasize enough is if theres even a remote chance your tank has ich, do not get an achilles. Your QT regimen should include prophylactic(hypo/copper) treatments of all new fish for about a month. If not, your achilles would be the first to display ich and then proliferating to the rest of the livestock.
i know a couple of local guys that nearly had their entire livestock knocked out after an ich bomb that was initiated after adding an achilles.
If you do get one, I hope it works out. The achilles is easily one of the best looking tangs.
I hate to throw out numbers, but i bet the success rate of keeping an achilles is under 30%(i'm in the that 30% group).
Also, make sure you get a good quality specimen to start off with.
i know a couple of local guys that nearly had their entire livestock knocked out after an ich bomb that was initiated after adding an achilles.
If you do get one, I hope it works out. The achilles is easily one of the best looking tangs.
I hate to throw out numbers, but i bet the success rate of keeping an achilles is under 30%(i'm in the that 30% group).
Also, make sure you get a good quality specimen to start off with.
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curthendrix
New member
For those who have kept both the Achilles and PB...how would you compare the two as far as acclimation, hardiness and behavior ?
Is there a concern with him adding the Achilles in with his established purple. My Purple Tang is agressive and not sure how an Achilles would fare... I would love to have an Achilles.... But as mentioned above, the death rate in WAY High and that is not an inexpensive fish. If you are going to buy one, think about seeing if anybody has one that has been in their tanks for some time, like a year, that would be willing to sell. It may cost more, but I like the odds of it surviving way better. JMO.
sanchoy
New member
Best way.. if your LFS can order one.. have them QT it.. and wean it on to frozen/pellets before you buy it. Most LFS will order the fish (some will also demand a deposit, depends on your LFS), which saves you shipping cost.
Observe for a month, if good buy it.. If it dies, it will probably die in your care also. A good Fish store should have good QT tanks set up already.
Observe for a month, if good buy it.. If it dies, it will probably die in your care also. A good Fish store should have good QT tanks set up already.
Mr. Brooks
MASVC Member
I've had mine for 6 months and he'll still only eat nori. Constant hints of ick. Very delicate but beautiful fish. 125 is too small, I have a 225 tall and I think its too small for him.
sporto0
New member
Powder Blues are easier to acclimate, hardiness & behavior once established are pretty much the same. They would fight for dominance.
walvis
New member
My LFS just got 2 specimens in about 4" and fell in love with them.
I'm thinking about adding both in my 300g SPS dominant reef.
However, it already houses:5"Powder Blue - 4"Purple Tang - 3.5"Yellow Tang - 3.5"Hippo
I'm also plan on getting a black tang to add to the mix.
I was thinking to add all 3 new tangs at the same time to confuse the rest, or is this suicidal?
Any suggestions to go about this will be appreciated.
Thanks, James
I'm thinking about adding both in my 300g SPS dominant reef.
However, it already houses:5"Powder Blue - 4"Purple Tang - 3.5"Yellow Tang - 3.5"Hippo
I'm also plan on getting a black tang to add to the mix.
I was thinking to add all 3 new tangs at the same time to confuse the rest, or is this suicidal?
Any suggestions to go about this will be appreciated.
Thanks, James
curthendrix
New member
Two Achilles in a 300 would never work IMO. I wouldn't even advise adding the Achilles with the PB.
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