What are the chances I could add them together without them killing each other? I have a 600 gallon FOWLR that is 8' x 4' x 2.5'. I have a powder blue already that is in my qt tank. He is about 4 inches. If I was to try this, would it be better to buy a large achilles? I could possible get one of the large ones off of diver's den. I have another qt tank that I coul use for the achilles. Then I could add them to the dt tank together.
Powder Blue and Achilles
- Thread starter stump1998
- Start date
Blinding Reef
New member
After trying it in a 225g and having it end in disaster since one was already established, I would say that IMO it could work in a 600g AS LONG AS both are added at the same time. As far as size, one should be bigger so that instead of always competing against each other, one is the dominant and the other submissive. Check out this site for a great video of a tank with both in it.
w w w dot reefvideos dot com
w w w dot reefvideos dot com
IFbettas
New member
The only way to safely add these two fish to the same tank is to add them at the same time. I've seen small powder blues take on fish many times their size, so adding a larger achilles with the powder wouldn't necessarily work; assuming the powder blue is in the DT first. Quarantining them seperately should work out well. Even if they are similar sizes, once they figure out which one is dominant there shouldn't be a problem.
Stanley-Reefer
New member
Add a non acantherus tang at the same time to pull some attention away.
Bullredchaser
New member
The rule of thumb is 3 achilles before one stays alive.They sometimes dont eat at all and our prone to skin infections so no nets on these guys.They come from a turbulent part of the reef so they are happier with high Orp levels.My 3rd one lived for a long time eating Spectrum pellets like they where candy and died during a move.It was the only fish to die,and a sad day to lose him.
fishyheaven
New member
fishyheaven
New member
good info since i lost 2 so far in the last two years but about to try for the third time...
sanchoy
New member
achilles are soo expensive. Where I live I will easily ditch out close to $200 per achilles including shipping. Now if he croaks thats 2 bones down the drain. Almost bit the bullet a few times and bought it, but did not a few times because so many reefers have so little success with this magnificent fish.
BEN BOGDAN
New member
powder blue
powder blue
The powder blue I had did well and lived 4 plus years with loads of tangs and a M.I. in my 180. He was not ick prone but always seemed almost stressed with the constant bad attitude and back and forth action. The are almost the same fish to me also with the slime shortage skin traits. I will not bet trying either fish again....they stress me out just watching them. Now Angelfish small or large........bring it !
powder blue
The powder blue I had did well and lived 4 plus years with loads of tangs and a M.I. in my 180. He was not ick prone but always seemed almost stressed with the constant bad attitude and back and forth action. The are almost the same fish to me also with the slime shortage skin traits. I will not bet trying either fish again....they stress me out just watching them. Now Angelfish small or large........bring it !
MrTuskfish
Team RC
I wouldn't QT them together. Cramped quarters=stress=aggression. In a tank your size, I think you have an excellent chance of getting this to work. They will need to establish the pecking order and territory, but should settle down. I kept these two together for many years. BTW, the Achilles on DD are outstanding fish, as is all their livestock (IME & IME). I have a friend who just passed 1 yr with a DD Achilles. I lost my Achilles to Katrina; but it will be my next fish, when I figure out just where it will go.
rydr119
Member
I find my achilles to be very peaceful in my tank. My blue tang is the largest followed by my rabbit then the achilles. I think feeding often also makes them happier and less aggressive. I didn't have any trouble getting mine to eat pellets. Scarfs them down like no tomorrow. I also feed at least 1 sheet of Nori per day and I feed frozen once or twice a week just to mix things up. I think in a 600g this would work. Just be sure to add them together and make food readily available for them so they don't have to work for a few weeks.
I will not qt them together. I have a 30 gallon and a 75 gallon setup up as qt tanks.
MrTuskfish
Team RC
Sounds great, let everyone know how it goes.
pancho
New member
I have kept both an achilles and a pbt in a 240. They were both added at the same time. The pbt was 5 inches and the achilles was 4 inches in size. The pbt would chase the achilles occasionaly but the smaller achilles would hold his own. I kept them together for several months before I sold my tank.
blennielove
New member
I was just wondering about this myself. I've had to remove all my fish and leave my 225 reef DT fallow for 6 weeks due to ich from PBT...I'm planning re-introduction in 4 weeks and I'm thinking of adding both an Achilles and Kole to my PBT and ABT. It sounds like it's now or...never?
Do you guys/gals treat with copper during QT? If so, for how long?
Do you guys/gals treat with copper during QT? If so, for how long?
Bullredchaser
New member
Cupramine is less toxic and I always have good luck with it no matter how bad the fish is.Follow instructions on bottle and measure copper level when redosing.Pablo Tepot from SPectrum foods swore by it and he was right.
This is sad, but also highly believable.
