Animal-World > Marine - Saltwater Fish > Surgeonfish > Achilles Tang

Achilles Tang

Family: AcanthuridaeAcanthurus achillesPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Greg Rothschild

   The Achilles Tang is a unique and gorgeous tang! It does well in a tanks with a plenty of water movement with an adequate diet and good water quality.

   Unlike other tangs, the place in the ocean where the the Achilles Tang is found has lots of water turbulence. This tang thrives in this type of environment rather than a placid aquarium.

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Marine Aquarium

Habitat: Natural geographic location:    Achilles Tang are found throughout the Pacific ocean.

Maintenance difficulty:    The Achilles Tang is moderately difficult to keep. They seem to be more delicate than the yellow or blue tangs.

Maintenance:    It is important that you feed Tangs a good variety of live, frozen, and prepared formula foods with emphasis in vegetable and spirulina. Best to feed small amounts several times a day.

Foods:    Mainly found grazing on algae. Will accept brine shrimp, mysis, plankton, and krill.

Social Behaviors:    Usually found singly, they form territories in shallow water areas of the reef. In the aquarium the can get territorial especially if another tang is added to a tank with an already established tang.

Sexual differences:    Unknown.

Light: Recommended light levels:    Found in areas with sunlight.

Breeding/Reproduction:    Probably will not be accomplished in captivity. See the description in the Breeding Marine Fish page.

Temperature:    No special requirements. Normal temperatures for marine fish is between 75 and 79 degrees.

Length/Diameter of fish:    Achilles Tang adults can grow to 25 cm (10 inches).

Minimum Tank Length/Size:    A minimum 75 gallon aquarium is recommended. Be prepared, this guy gets quite large!

Water Movement: Weak, Moderate, Strong    Thrives in good water movement

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom    Swims all over the aquarium.

Availability:    This fish is generally readily available and is fairly expensive.

Lastest Comments on Achilles Tang View all 7 comments on Achilles Tang Add Your Comment

Don - 2010-03-19 I've an Achilles Tang I've had for about a month -- was doing fine but starting getting white spots about two weeks ago (thought it was itch), cleaner shrimp and cleaner wrasse seems to have cleared that up. However colouration seems to be lost on front half of fish and hasn't returned. Any ideas on what this could be -- not gasping for air, eating well and still moving well about the tank. Unfortunately didn't quarantine first (dumb I know) -- looking to take out of display tank to treat -- only have a goby and 5 year old Yellow Tang in the tank with him and they don't appear to be showing any signs (Yet). I have pictures if anyone want to see them if that might help. (Dr. Jungle says, "Feel free to post your pictures to the Gallery if you'ld like.") Reply

Megan - 2010-01-05 I have had them for months. I don't have any problems with the achilles, it's the blonde naso's I have issues with (typically giving up and refusing to eat after a short time). Reply

Chad - 2006-12-25 I have yet to meet anyone that has kept this fish for more than a week. And I know several who have tried. Reply

phil - 2006-05-18 update from 1/1/05 Achilles is still doing well, and has been transferred in to a new 300 gal tank. I attribute my success with this tang to chaotic water flow from both a oceans motions 8 way and a tunze wavebox. I also believe that having a rapid sump turnover rate is beneficial for keeping the water well oxygenated. I had a bout with ich with this tang, and instead of removing it, i kept up on water changes and feed selcon enriched or zoe enriched norri. infection was gone within a month. This tang is also kept with 3 other tangs, all of different genius: Blonde naso, bristletooth tominii, and A desjardini sailfin. My best tips for keeping this species are thus: Handle delicately, feed often, and most important of all, find a healthy fish from the get go. Reply

TangLover - 2005-12-07 Very beautiful fish...but make sure that you check its body for any scratches (delicate shipper) and it has a sensitve skin coat so the net might scratch it. Make sure you acclimate the fish well. The most you should pay for this fish is about $35 (Sun Aquarium in San Jose, CA) has it for this price. Alright, hope that helps you fellow reefers. Reply

phil - 2005-01-01 happened to stumble across an excellent specimen, and could not pass it up, as i knew i would never see another one in such good shape anytime soon; not to mention the fact that i only paid $55 for a fish that would eaisly go for $90 plus any where else! I was worried at first that my existing tang (a 2.5 inch desjardin sailfin) and it would not get along. Within an hour the 2 were swimming about the tank! Talk about luck! Eats like a horse and is doing great! Reply

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