Think like a fish

[Paul B]

Tangs are hard to follow because they swim much faster than I do but I see them in fairly large schools and there is only one school at a time. They swim fairly long distances which may be the size of a football field. They have to wait for some algae to grow back to eat at the same spot. I see them swimming overhead then all of a sudden turn and drop down to eat. In 2 or 3 minutes they take off again.

 

[billsreef]

Tangs really roam the whole city, and then some.

Some like the Achilles like stick to the surge zone where it's hard for diver or snorkeler observe them without getting knocked into the rocks by the waves. Not to mention getting a few sea urchins stuck in your hands from fending off those rocks While your trying not to get yourself busted up against the rocks in that surge, those tangs are managing to sit absolutely still...despite the strong surge.

That observation teaches me two basic lessons about Achilles Tangs. One is that they expend a lot of swimming effort and energy to simply stay in place. Two, they live in a very highly oxygenated environment where O2 saturation is typically a bit over 100%. Translated to the tank environment, they need large roomy tanks with very strong circulation and O2 levels.

 

[Paul B]

Translated to the tank environment, they need large roomy tanks with very strong circulation and O2 levels.

Along with a diver hovering over them while getting smashed into the rocks. Tangs love to watch that.

 

[bdbyace28]

good ideas. this concept really eludes new aquarists when they get a salt water tank for the first time. they usually have experience with goldfish or cichlids and think its the same. they dont realize that most of these fish were taken from the ocean and flown half way across the world to be put in small tanks outside of their scope of understanding. this is where i explain to the newbs that they have to setup their tank around what type of fish/coral they want. i.e. lighting, water fow, and co-inhabitants. if the aquarist cant somewhat recreate a mini version of the environment they were used to in the wild, the fish will statistically have less of a chance at a healthy life