Achilles Tang Care

[Marco S]

My LFS has had an Achilles Tang for a few weeks and after doing research and going back and forth, I finally purchased it a couple days ago. It is currently in QT and seems to be settling in fine. It is eating seaweed and will nip at Mysis shrimp and some flake food, but sticks to seaweed for now. I have started raising the copper level and besides it rubbing against the PVC pipes off and on, (maybe ich or other parasites) I see no other signs of disease or stress.

My concern is that this fish is rated as "Expert Only" but the only things I could get off the internet is that it requires a large tank, (check) requires lots of water flow, (check) and is very prone to stress, Ich and Velvet. As I am QTing everything wet that is going into my DT, I am less concerned with the later though. Other than that it seems like he would be no different than any other Tang, but maybe I am wrong.

My question is for anyone that has experience with Achilles Tangs. I am wondering if there is anything else you would add that I need to consider in caring for this fish? Also any tips or tricks you have learned that may benefit me in caring for it. This is the most expensive fish I have purchased so far and although it sucks to lose any fish, it would hurt my wallet as well as my heart to lose this one.

 

[gonzo620]

Sound like you’re doing everything right. Congrats on getting a good specimen. Mine has been with me since early 2015. Total stud. Happy to help if you have any specific ?s

This is when they flash. Probably the coolest looking when he does this.