I would like to know if anyone here on talking reef has had any success with one. What requirements are needed to sucessfully keep one? Also I have read that they need high flow survive. Thanks Bobby
What requirements are needed to sucessfully keep one?
First, I'd say you need to be an accomplished aquarist with experience keeping difficult species successfully. Second, I'd say you need a well established, at least a year old, tank of 100 gals, more is better. Third, I'd say you need to be willing to research the diet requirements of the Achilles and go out of your way to provide it. Fourth, if you don't or can't meet the above criterion, I'd suggest you save your money. Achilles Tangs are difficult to maintain for the long haul and all of us should only buy fish/corals/inverts that we can keep for an extended period of time. Why waist money on an Achilles if it's going to die in a month or two, so we can say we had one??? My advice, if you are not experienced is to leave it alone. Gain experience on easier species. There's plenty of beautiful candidates available.
Dick
__________________ Amphibious
Reaching my 70th BD, I realize that I cannot help but grow old. However, I refuse to grow up!!! My wife would tell you, "He may be 70 but, He's going on 17". Life is wonderful with a woman like that.
First, I'd say you need to be an accomplished aquarist with experience keeping difficult species successfully. Second, I'd say you need a well established, at least a year old, tank of 100 gals, more is better. Third, I'd say you need to be willing to research the diet requirements of the Achilles and go out of your way to provide it. Fourth, if you don't or can't meet the above criterion, I'd suggest you save your money. Achilles Tangs are difficult to maintain for the long haul and all of us should only buy fish/corals/inverts that we can keep for an extended period of time. Why waist money on an Achilles if it's going to die in a month or two, so we can say we had one??? My advice, if you are not experienced is to leave it alone. Gain experience on easier species. There's plenty of beautiful candidates available.
Dick
Thanks for the reply Dick. I think that I might have accomplised 1,2 and 4. But #3 is why I'm on here asking if anyone has successfully keep one in there tank. I'm not trying to be rude but I definitely didn't get anything from your NEWBIE response.
I'm not trying to be rude but I definitely didn't get anything from your NEWBIE response.
You weren't being rude. I simply responded to your question. You didn't give much to go on so, I began at the NEWBIE level. We can't read your mind and determine your level of experience. We go by what you post.
__________________ Amphibious
Reaching my 70th BD, I realize that I cannot help but grow old. However, I refuse to grow up!!! My wife would tell you, "He may be 70 but, He's going on 17". Life is wonderful with a woman like that.
yeah, sometimes it hard when responding to these...
my number one rule here is that all people n00bs or experts are treated the same, i will not tolerate people being treated unfairly (so have this place has been just perfect.. )
but when someone comes in with a question, we have to assume there a n00b. and sometimes people take that as an insult, but its not meant to be..
so please dont take anything personal.. as we get to know you, we will know how to respond better...
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I apologize if I came off sounding rude. Amphibious I'm sorry but I belong to many forums and I see a lot of people that come off as being a little cocky towards the newbies. I understand that you are trying to make sure that someone that has no experience who is buying a fish/coral has the proper knowledge before they purchase something that they have know idea how to take care of. But at the same time we need to share our experiences with others so the animals that are being sold aren't on a one way ticket down the toilet. I have only five years under my belt but I eat sleep and !@#$ saltwater. Thanks Bobby
great... now that we are all on the same page, and no one is misunderstanding any one else, we can get back to the questions at hand..
turbonegro,
regarding the Achilles Tang, i have never kept one, i have had various other tangs, and have wanted an Achilles Tang, but haven't had the room in my tank for one.
so i cant offer any first hand experience, but from the information we have gathered so far....
they sound like most other tangs out there, but a bit on the more difficult side.
they require mature stable tanks.
a good supply of nutrition is the form of veggies, as in nori, or something that is normally fed to tangs.
as with all tangs they are going to require large tanks with lots of hiding places. im not sure about the high flow thing though.
Amphibious,
do you have any information about these fish that would set them apart form other tangs is regards to keeping them healthy in our tanks?
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from what i've read on other reef forums, achilles, as amphibious said, are hard to keep & have a pretty dismal survival rate in captivity. i've read that they come from surge zone areas, which may be hard to re-create in a home aquarium. i know achilles are very beautiful, but my advice, even though i am even more of a newbie than most, is to leave these beautiful tangs in the ocean or to more advanced aquarists. there are plenty of other tangs that are hardier and just as beautiful.
achilles tanks do have a poor record due to their "special" needs. If we look at the topo maps we can see the area for these tangs are usually around seamounts and deep canyon faces. this brings upwelling and high current activity. Lots of turn over is a must in a roomy spacious tank. Upwelling brings all the nutrients that the fish need so plenty of small meals and more frequent feedings should be in order. Also, upwelling brings the cool waters from the deep. This could be an indicator that the 82-84 degrees we keep may stress these guys. they are a flighty fish so dither fish will help to keep the achilles calm. Ich is a serious problem, but if we make the fish more comfortable, he will be more healthy.
I am also looking into one for my aquarium. I think I meet most of the requirements for keeping one. My aquarium was set up to be a high energy zone. With a wave box and twin 6100's I have a lot of water energy in the aquarium. I think that this species will do well in the aquarium. I am looking into getting one in the next moth or so
I am also looking into one for my aquarium. I think I meet most of the requirements for keeping one. My aquarium was set up to be a high energy zone. With a wave box and twin 6100's I have a lot of water energy in the aquarium. I think that this species will do well in the aquarium. I am looking into getting one in the next moth or so
I think more important than a high energy zone in your aquarium is a total commitment to a proper feeding regimen. An Achilles tang needs a large swimming space and I'd say a 125 is the smallest size tank one should be housed in and not in crowded conditions. These fish are skittish and strong swimmers. It will need ample hiding places in the LR. No other boisterous fish should be present at least until the Achilles is established. To be comfortable the Achilles must be allowed to be "boss" fish in the tank. Besides meaty meals, Nori should be offered daily hung on a clip.
You'd better be deligent about water changes and tank maintenence. Clean conditions are a must. A UV sterilizer is highly recommended. What size tank do you have and how long has it been set up?
__________________ Amphibious
Reaching my 70th BD, I realize that I cannot help but grow old. However, I refuse to grow up!!! My wife would tell you, "He may be 70 but, He's going on 17". Life is wonderful with a woman like that.
The aquarium is 72-36-24 and was set up in May. The planning process and build took over a year to complete. The fish in the tank now are limited as far as fish go. I have teh following:
Leopard Wrasse
Pair of ORA ocellaris
Algea Blenny
Royal Gramma
Tomini tang (3")
I read some articles published by the Waikiki aquarium about this fish (I believe most imports are coming from Hawaii) and its propensity towards ich related to a softer skin that is easily damaged.
The Achilles if I do get one will be the Pivotal fish that the other additions will be chosen around. I want a fish that is dominant to keep the other fish moving. I have been tossing around a small harem of Anthias and the Achilles would serve as a large enoughand aggresive enough fish to see taht these fish stay in the upper part of the water column.
I do not have UV but I do use Ozone in the tank and an H&S A-200 Skimmer. I so understand that water quality is an issue with these fish and it is also an issue with my other love - Acropora. The Achilles gives me the best of both worlds! A dominant fish that is wonderful but will not eat my Acropora
The aquarium is 270 gallons and my sump is 112 (gross gallons). I do 40 gallons a week an have been using Sea Chem on the tank with no ill effects (I compensate by subtracting the Borate Alk from the Total to get the true carbonate Alk so I know what my corals can use and what is used as a PH buffer alone).
I set it up with a really easy water change method built in so it is a snap to get this done weekly and ensures compliance.
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That I would not want to see. 
USA 
