Acanthurus achilles is a tropical fish with the common names Achilles Tang and Achilles surgeonfish.
Appearance
They are a mid-sized surgeonfish reaching a maximum of 10in/25cm at adulthood. Acanthurus achilles are black with striking orange and white lining along the fish’s fins and tail. When the fish matures, a prominent orange drop shape develops on the caudal area terminating into a sharp spine.
Diet
The Achilles Tang is herbivorous, eating mostly benthic algae. They will also accept frozen and meaty foods such as brine shrimp and mysid shrimp in captivity. They will eat many greens, but greens are not required for this fish to live.
The Achilles Tang is herbivorous, eating mostly benthic algae. They will also accept frozen and meaty foods such as brine shrimp and mysid shrimp in captivity. They will eat many greens, but greens are not required for this fish to live.
Range
It is found in various reefs of Oceania, up to the islands of Hawaii and Pitcairn. The fish is also, although less commonly, found in the Mariana islands and even some reefs in southern Mexico and Guatemala.
In the Aquarium
Unfortunately, the Achilles Tang has a poor survival rate when kept in captivity. They are not for the inexperienced aquarist. However, if you are a more experienced saltwater aquarist, you might think about keeping an Achilles. They are peaceful aquarium inhabitants and will rarely bother their tankmates. Just about the only exception is when kept with other Tangs/Surgeonfish, particularly of their own species. Then they will become aggressive towards the other Tang. They are reef-safe, and can be kept with any invertebrates. Also, they shouldn’t be kept in a tank under 100 gallons. The Achilles Tang (and all Tangs, for that matter) needs plenty of swimming room. Possible tankmates include Clownfish, Blennies, Gobies, Chromis, Butterflyfish, and small Lionfish and Eels.
Unfortunately, the Achilles Tang has a poor survival rate when kept in captivity. They are not for the inexperienced aquarist. However, if you are a more experienced saltwater aquarist, you might think about keeping an Achilles. They are peaceful aquarium inhabitants and will rarely bother their tankmates. Just about the only exception is when kept with other Tangs/Surgeonfish, particularly of their own species. Then they will become aggressive towards the other Tang. They are reef-safe, and can be kept with any invertebrates. Also, they shouldn’t be kept in a tank under 100 gallons. The Achilles Tang (and all Tangs, for that matter) needs plenty of swimming room. Possible tankmates include Clownfish, Blennies, Gobies, Chromis, Butterflyfish, and small Lionfish and Eels.
Buy at saltwaterfish.com.
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1 Comment for Fish o’ the day | Achilles Tang
Derek | October 23, 2009 at 1:18 pm
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beautiful fish. I did a little reading on them and they say they are highly susceptible to contracting ich and HLLE and can be very aggressive toward other surgeonfish.