Achilles Tang

[bluesea7]

Guys,

I been dreaming about the Achilles Tang but don't know if I should get one because I have been researching about this fish and got mix reviews and feedbacks. Currently I have some chromis, 1 small blue tang, and a small Hawaiin black Tang. My tank is 180g + 60g sump. If anyone is having or had this fish please share your experience.

Thanks so much in advance,

Daniel

[crvz]

I think the hardest part of this species is finding a healthy specimen. I have one in a 150 gallon tank (5'x2' foot print), but it's the only surgeonfish in the tank. With the other two in your setup, that could become problematic. They are active, need to graze on algae, and can be very aggressive. I would highly recommend a quarantine, as well, but only if it's over 100 gallons (smaller would be stressful). They're not like the sohal, in my experience, which is also a very dominant Acanthurus species, mostly because they achilles only gets to 8-9" range. So they're not terribly large.

If you can find a good one (I'd recommend liveaquaria.com, either the diver's den or their regular website), it's definitely an exciting fish, but be prepared.

[tangmang23]

another common problem is feeding them. Its hard to get them to take to a lot of prepared food, and even if they do, it needs to be a balanced diet. Im going to +2 on the QT in a large tank. Be sure to QT for about 6 weeks. I also like to have some cleaners with them just to help with eating the parasite if a break out were to occur. The shrimp also make the fish feel more "at home" so to speak, and helps them settle down a bit. good luck, its my favorite fish, be sure to have some photos somewhere if you get one.

[Loverotties]

+1 to both answers!

[firsthesitation]

Yeah I guess I'd have to say good luck to you, at first getting one cause they're very seldomly seen in stores or even available online but also to keeping it alive. I had a friend of mine who found one on sheer chance and after like 3 weeks in QT it died suddenly and mysteriously. No signs on disease or anything he had been eating both flake and sheet algae and everything.

[bluesea7]

Guys,

Thanks all for help. I will probably wait and educate myself a lot more before I buy this fish as it is a high maintenance fish .

Daniel