Achilles Tang

[Reef Breeders Verified Sponsor]

As I become more advanced in the hobby, I am adding finickier fish. I want to know the best way to take care of an achilles tang. I have a lightly stocked 125 (6 fish, soon to be 9) I am of course, willing to devote the time and effort, and already feed 2x a day (once at 3pm, once at 10pm). I was wondering if maybe that, plus an algae clip every morning, or every night, would be enough to care for this tang? Would it do okay in a 125, or would I have to move him in a couple years? I train fish to eat out of a net, so relocation is not too much of a problem. Your help is appreciated!

 

[Troylee]

They get big quick... Only one I know that has done well in captivity 2+ years is in a 700 gallon tank... There my all time favorite fish but never could succumb to getting one for that reason... I have seen them come into my lfs from 2" to 9" long... The bigger ones being more healthy and just outstanding colors..:

 

[ColaAddict]

I would either get from a trusted local fish store and have them hold the fish to make sure it's eating. I got mine from Divers Den, they quarantine the fish and make sure it's eating before selling. The hard thing about achilles is they are very ich prone and alot of times will refuse to eat in captivity, so getting one that's already eating is a must. I would only get an achilles from Diver's Den, but it's very difficult because they usually sell in seconds after being put on the site around 5pm CST (so you have to be quick with the mouse)

 

[Reef Breeders Verified Sponsor]

I have a qt tank full of chaeto also, so if he eats, I should be in the clear. I have a local reefer with a 210 I could trade to if it got to big, I just would not CL it if it outgrew my tank, last time I got a person asking if they can put the corals in their goldfish tank.

 

[bige]

I don't know about care but good luck. Like Troy said long term success seems to coincide tank size. Ie the larger the better. Google Matt's 700 g. I think his is 4 or 5 years old.

 

[Tabasco1]

GL! Def a gorgeous fish. Got to see some wild snorkeling and they are just amazing. I try to read whenever I see a thread about them. Seems like from what I have read about similar success to a moorish idol. My grail fish. I'll probably leave that to the ocean though.

I think there was a thread on here a couple months ago where a decent amount of people chimed in on things to increase success.

 

[Bluejawtrigger]

I have a buddy that has one in a 180g. He's currently building a 550g plywood tank just for his Vlamingi and Achilis. The Achilis doubled in size in a year. They swim more than most tangs, constantly on the move and are aggressive. Make sure you have plenty of swimming room. +100 on feeding at least twice a day. Plus algae clips. They are tough to find a nice healthy one.but if you find a healthy one that is eating, they are beautiful. This is just based off of what I've seen/experienced with my buddies Achilis. Good luck.

 

[laskopyre]

They are normally captured in wave surge areas. They need quite a bit of flow. A 125 is not large enough for an achilles. If you are looking for something similar, but not as hard to keep, try a gold rim. Almost the same coloration. Personally, I think the achilles should stay in the ocean. The success rate is very low.

 

[Onedesign1]

My LFS was able to hand select the ones he had in the store. By the time I saw the last one he was eating pellet. Very important that he was eating. He now eats pellet and veggie clip but grazes non stop.

I think the key to all tangs is to put them into an established tank so they have something to graze on. It's what they do full time. I think it's more important for an Achilles.

These fish are often known for breaking out with ich for no reason. Mine has never had an issue. Thank god! Every other one I am aware of locally has repeatedly had an ich issue. He's the last fish in my tank so hopefully all will continue well.

Good luck with yours.

 

[vertwake]

We have had one for almost 2 years in a 200 gallon marine land deep dimension. 48x36x27.

Keys:
1. Get one from a healthy reputable dealer, like divers den.
2. Try to get a juvenile with the spot not fully developed. They adapt to captivity better.
3. Achilles exhibit ich like symptoms when stressed. I think too many people automatically assume it's ich and then start treating or quarantine and that actually is worse for the fish. It quickly goes away when they calm down. Obviously if it doesn't go away it's ich and you have issues.
4. Flow is huge for these fish. I have 4 mp40s. This fish is always playing in them. On full blast it will swim right up and put its nose right in the front, then spin and dart around the tank.
5. Swimming area - make sure you have plenty of swimming room for this fish. I have a 2 island structure with lots of open area for swimming and surging.
6. Live rock - I had very old established live rock from an experienced reef keeper when I started. My Achilles is always picking at the rocks. I also have a cave and arch structure, so lots of area for it to hide and play in and around.

I QT'd mine for 2 weeks in a 40 breeder. No lights other than ambient. PVC pipe to hide in. 2 koralia pumps, overkill for the QT, but this fish needs it's flow. Nori sheet every day, mysis and pellets. I actually would have put it straight in my DT if I wasn't QTing a Powder Blue that I wanted to introduce to DT at the same time.

Tank mates...a lot! Some of the heavy hitters:

Moorish Idol
Powder Blue
Chevron
2 yellow tangs
Regal angel
Several Wrasses
Copper Banded Butterfly
etc...

Mine eats pellets, mysis and Nori. Twice a day. Aggressive fish, but my powder blue is actually more aggressive. I had to get rid of a sailfin that was picking on it. All my tangs co-exist very well, but I planned for and introduced all at the same time so none would have territory established.

Good luck, great fish, fun to watch, very social. Will eat from my hand.