omar jawad
Active Member
The Achilles Tang is the first fish that made me want to enter this hobby. I was waiting for a table at a popular restaurant in Orlando and a few doors down, I spotted Living Reef Orlando. I took my two young boys there to kill some time and I was blown away. It was a beautiful, well organized, clean store that had vibrant reef tanks, beautiful corals and amazing fish. I was hooked. When I was walking along the fish section, I saw my first Achilles tang and I thought, wow, how cool is that. My kids and I were so enamored. I told my wife during breakfast that she should go see this store and she gave me the stink eye, but I convinced her. The store was so nice and clean, she started asking questions and I knew I was in. Now, 4 years later and after spending about the cost of a really nice Audi, I finally purchased the Tang I always desired.
I was very reluctant because of the expert only designation and the difficulty this fish presents for the price. I just couldn't pull the trigger. As I was surfing my typical online retailers websites, I spotted that Achilles Tangs were for sale on Liveaquaria.com. I just couldn't resist. I purchased a beauty and it only cost me $120. The description stated 2-2.5".
On the day of the arrival, I made sure I left work early enough to get this guy into the acclimation process, when I pulled it out of the bag, I was very pleased. It was closer to 4" in size and very thick. It didn't show any stress signs and was moving very well considering his journey.
So here is the bad part. I made this purchase clearly knowing the risk and difficulty of keeping it alive and healthy. I do not have a qt tank. I simply don't have the space in my home for one. I understand that I will catch grief from many of you because of this but I do have a relationship with a LRS that is always willing to help me rescue and qt fish if necessary. I simply could not pass up on the deal.
I did a 5 hour acclimation and then moved the fish into my display and kept him in a social acclimation box. After watching him for a few hours, I decided to move him out of the box because he didn't have enough room. He certainly asserted himself right away, backing his side into any fish that got to close. I shut the lights and went on with my evening.
So here I am, 24 hours later very pleased with the first day. I fed the tank its normal evening meal and saw him curios but not really tasting any thing. I decided to add a purple nori sheet to the tank witch I let enter my flow pump. This did the trick. He went after all he could see. It was a beautiful sight.
I understand I have a tough road ahead and my chances are slim but I will fight hard and immediately remove him to qt at the LRS if I feel it is necessary. I am hoping it won't be. I will try to keep you all informed if your interested. Wish me and my new buddy luck.
Pictures will follow, just need the timing to be right with the lights
I was very reluctant because of the expert only designation and the difficulty this fish presents for the price. I just couldn't pull the trigger. As I was surfing my typical online retailers websites, I spotted that Achilles Tangs were for sale on Liveaquaria.com. I just couldn't resist. I purchased a beauty and it only cost me $120. The description stated 2-2.5".
On the day of the arrival, I made sure I left work early enough to get this guy into the acclimation process, when I pulled it out of the bag, I was very pleased. It was closer to 4" in size and very thick. It didn't show any stress signs and was moving very well considering his journey.
So here is the bad part. I made this purchase clearly knowing the risk and difficulty of keeping it alive and healthy. I do not have a qt tank. I simply don't have the space in my home for one. I understand that I will catch grief from many of you because of this but I do have a relationship with a LRS that is always willing to help me rescue and qt fish if necessary. I simply could not pass up on the deal.
I did a 5 hour acclimation and then moved the fish into my display and kept him in a social acclimation box. After watching him for a few hours, I decided to move him out of the box because he didn't have enough room. He certainly asserted himself right away, backing his side into any fish that got to close. I shut the lights and went on with my evening.
So here I am, 24 hours later very pleased with the first day. I fed the tank its normal evening meal and saw him curios but not really tasting any thing. I decided to add a purple nori sheet to the tank witch I let enter my flow pump. This did the trick. He went after all he could see. It was a beautiful sight.
I understand I have a tough road ahead and my chances are slim but I will fight hard and immediately remove him to qt at the LRS if I feel it is necessary. I am hoping it won't be. I will try to keep you all informed if your interested. Wish me and my new buddy luck.
Pictures will follow, just need the timing to be right with the lights
