Achilles tang or not?

[CrossXchaos]

Hey guys my lfs has 3 achilles tangs all look great and are fat. Sizes 4" 3.5" and a little 3" the smallest one eats nori flake and mysis the 3.5" only eats brine and nori, the largest one eats everything. Over the years I have seen multiple achilles at this store all of which looked sick or dangerously skinny I'm really debating with myself about buying one. In the past 5 days I've spent about 5000 on equipment for my new custom system that's being built. New system comes in November and everything will be ready for it by then. Currently I have a 75 gallon running for about a year now and was wondering about your thought on the tang being in it till November? Even after spending 5k my wife surprisingly didn't mind the idea of a 500 dollar fish so if there was ever a time it's now lol.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hey guys my lfs has 3 achilles tangs all look great and are fat. Sizes 4" 3.5" and a little 3" the smallest one eats nori flake and mysis the 3.5" only eats brine and nori, the largest one eats everything. Over the years I have seen multiple achilles at this store all of which looked sick or dangerously skinny I'm really debating with myself about buying one. In the past 5 days I've spent about 5000 on equipment for my new custom system that's being built. New system comes in November and everything will be ready for it by then. Currently I have a 75 gallon running for about a year now and was wondering about your thought on the tang being in it till November? Even after spending 5k my wife surprisingly didn't mind the idea of a 500 dollar fish so if there was ever a time it's now lol.

Mine , great fish but assure it eats and shows No signs of parasites, dusty like appears and breathing normally

 

[Bucs20fan]

Its only a couple months, I dont see an issue with it being that short term. It may become stressed and pace the tank so you need to watch out for that. The biggest concern would be if it beats up your other fish.

 

[DCR]

I personally don't find them all that attractive have never really understood the appeal of them given their eating, disease and aggression issues and especially now with the high cost, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If you really like them and consider one your dream fish, I would say go for it. You can keep them in a 75 at that size for a few months provided there are no other aggressive tangs already in it. Not sure about the size of your new system, but be aware it may be difficult to add additional tangs after the Achilles is established. I admit I have never kept one but I hear their aggression can be on par with a powder blue which I have experienced compatibility issues with on several occasions.

 

[Tamberav]

Just keep in mind they are very prone to disease if their needs are not met and sometimes even if they are. They also benefit from lots of flow/oxygen. Having an established Achilles before other tangs may also take some extra planning for aggression.

I think this is worth reading so you can understand what may be a special challenge keeping a Achilles that will be in a 75g and will end up being a new tank. $500 is no small fry.

Ich and Acanthurus tangs - Years of experience and ich management

Ich and Acanthurus tangs - Years of experience and ich management Alright folks, I wanted to share some pretty shameful realities about my past and dealing with Acanthurus tangs. To anyone that doesn't know, common Acanthurus tangs include Powder Blue, Powder Brown, Goldrim/white cheek...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Bladezz]

In my experience (and just my opinion) they need a lot of room to move around. I would be concerned that a 75 wouldn't be enough room for one.

The Oklahoma Aquarium (Near Tulsa) has a 65,000 gallon fish only display. In that display they have 50+ different species of fish.

Polynesian Reef | Oklahoma Aquarium Jenks, OK

If you haven’t forgotten you’re in Oklahoma, our Polynesian Reef will surely transport you to a tropical vacation. This vibrant exhibit is teeming with life as it is home to more than 50 species of tropical fish of all shapes, colors, and sizes. You’ll also see a green moray eel slithering...

www.okaquarium.org

I would say out of those 50 species 49 were peacefully swimming around. Then there was the Achilles – it would dart from one side of the tank and back. The dang thing wouldn’t stop long enough for me to point it out.

I’ve been successful with one (out of many tries) in a 7’ long tank. I would wait till you have your bigger system set up and don’t buy until you witness the specimen eating.

 

[Tired]

A teeny-tiny baby might tolerate a tank that size, but it's generally not good practice to buy fish for a tank you don't have, especially fish that NEED a massive tank.

 

[Anirban]

They are generally towards a little aggressive side. They are also disease prone with a slightest bit of stress. If possible wait for a few months till your new system is up and running so that it doesn't get stressed out in the small tank. What other fish do you have in that 75?

 

[CrossXchaos]

Some factors that may come into play here
Pros
1.Dual 4k gyres lots of flow
2. Lots of liverock 110lbs to graze
3. Lots of food variety here
4. 3-3.5" might be ok on 75 gallon temporarily
5. Fish eat fantastic and look fantastic
6. No other tangs in aquarium
7. Had Successful experience with powder blue which I removed after 6 months from aggression and size
Cons
1. 6 dwarf angels might not like him?
2. 3.5"-4" might stress in smaller space
3. Might end up killing something
4. Aquarium is probably overstocked
5. Price
6. Nothing is for sure might die

Keep in mind that I really care for my fish and hench the upgraded aquarium on its way so I'm definitely back and forth about.

 

[CrossXchaos]

They are generally towards a little aggressive side. They are also disease prone with a slightest bit of stress. If possible wait for a few months till your new system is up and running so that it doesn't get stressed out in the small tank. What other fish do you have in that 75?

Currently
2 flame angel pair 3"&3.25"
1 bicolor angel 3.25"
1 flameback angel 2.75"
1 multicolor angel 3"
1 coral beauty angel 4.5"
1 copperband butterfly 4"
1 red head wrasse 2"
1 flame hawk 3"
1 royal gramma 2"
1 swallowtail damsel 2"
1 cardinal fish 2"
1 fire fish 2"
1 yellow watchmen 3"
2 clownfish pair 1.5"-2"

 

[Anirban]

Currently
2 flame angel pair 3"&3.25"
1 bicolor angel 3.25"
1 flameback angel 2.75"
1 multicolor angel 3"
1 coral beauty angel 4.5"
1 copperband butterfly 4"
1 red head wrasse 2"
1 flame hawk 3"
1 royal gramma 2"
1 swallowtail damsel 2"
1 cardinal fish 2"
1 fire fish 2"
1 yellow watchmen 3"
2 clownfish pair 1.5"-2"

16 fish in that 75??? I will suggest not to add that achilles in that tank. If the achilles get into bad mood you will not only loose it but you will loose quite a few of other fishes including the butterfly. If you really want it then please buy it and ask your LFS to hold it till you get the new tank cycled and running. This way you will reduce the chance of stress and aggression for all the fishes.

 

[LiamPM]

Nope, i wouldnt personally add one to that 75 or advise to regardless of time frame.

Tank upgrades and swaps rarely go to plan and why risk a delicate species for one. As others have said, "its only for a few months" but id say that in the opposite sense, its only a few months so wait before buying it.

The stress of moving inhabitants from tank to tank is real and having a very delicate, prone to having issues when looked at at the wrong angle species is not a stress id advise going through for the sake of buying it now compared to a few months time.

In my limited experience with them, netting, and moving across from one tank to another or holding tanks doesnt sit well with them at all. They like their territory and do not like being taken from it.

Plus - Your 75 is reallistically overstocked as is.

 

[Tamberav]

ooofta... I think you know you shouldn't with that stock list.

 

[Tired]

"Had success with a fish before I had to remove it from aggression and size" is not success. That's just delayed failure.

 

[Eagle_Steve]

ooofta... I think you know you shouldn't with that stock list.

I agree and this is from the guy with way too many fish in a 180, and one of those being an achilles that is almost ready for the 500 lol.

 

[iFunnny]

Maybe consider adding the achilles when u move all this over so it goes in the same time as your other fish. but i dont think id personally risk an achilles with that many potential bullies in quarters that size.

Achilles arent super hard to get in, so another chance for a great specimen will swim by eventually, hopefully when your 500 is all ready!