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 Animal Stories on Achilles Tang View all 7 Animal Stories on Achilles Tang Add Your Animal Story

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. Reply

john - 2004-08-01 One of my favourite tangs. A must have for any marine tank! Does not take traveling well, and rather delicate at first. but once settled, with good quality water, it can be the star of the aquarium for a long time! Very lively fish too, always on the move. I never had a really aggressive one but it can be rather territorial with other tangs. 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

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