Can I Add an Achillies to This Gang?

Deepsea2005 · #1 10/08/2007, 01:41 PM

Hello all,

I really want an Achillies tang.
Do you think I can add it to my tank with these existing fish?

Thanks,

nauticac4 · #2 10/08/2007, 02:28 PM

Fist off
Tank dimensions?
Flow?
Fish list just for fun

Achillies really like high flow tanks, they also need alot of room to swim which depending on who you talk to needs to be length (you have a cube).

If you decided to get one make sure you QT and watch for aggressivness when you introduce. They are notorious for ick and not eating. They beautiful fish would be a nice addition. Good luck getting one also I waited for one for about 2 months and gave up.
Go for it with caution (IMO) if you can find one.
Your tank looks great BTW.

thor32766 · #3 10/08/2007, 03:01 PM

Looks like you have a clean enough tank for it. I would be wary with the PBT and ecspecially the shoal.

Tyrosinase · #4 10/08/2007, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by thor32766
I would be wary with the PBT and ecspecially the shoal.

I was thinking the exact same thing when I first saw the picture.

tangers · #5 10/08/2007, 03:42 PM

The only way I would ever try one again is one from another reefers system, tear down, etc... they are really hard and will prob have an issue with the pbt like mentioned before.

Deepsea2005 · #6 10/08/2007, 03:58 PM

Thank you Nauticac4, thor32766, Tyrosinase, and tangers.

Nauticac4,
the tank is 5'x4'x2' tall
Mag18 return pump.
Four 6100 tunzes for internal flow.

TheSaltwaterGuy · #7 10/08/2007, 04:04 PM

Agreed - go for it, but just watch for aggression between the PBT and the Sohal.

Good luck.

zemuron114 · #8 10/08/2007, 05:06 PM

achilles do well if you get one small and from a reputable source. I never have a problem with them, feeding etc. I think i've lost 1 out of maybe 200 or so.

The PBT will definitely be a problem. I would suggest taking him out if possible then re-introducing.

you have more then enough flow, but the tank size may be an issue later on with the current fish you have.

mattyice · #9 10/08/2007, 09:49 PM

anyone know if a trio of achilles would work out in a 4x4x2 tank with no other tangs, i can get three of them pretty small so i am wondering do they school like yellows or purples or PBT's?

Cantonesefish · #10 10/08/2007, 10:46 PM

I would not recommend it. It's hard enough with a sohal and a powder blue; both of which are not only in the same genus but also extremely aggressive. The only way I could see this working is if you move the sohal/pbt to the sump for a few weeks while the achilles is being introduced.

kenettson1 · #11 10/08/2007, 10:52 PM

That's a prett neat tank. Especially love the sps in the middle. WOW.

Do you have any aggresion issues with your current tang population?

SuAsati · #12 10/09/2007, 08:36 AM

Think you canpost a close up pic of the sohal.... Nice tank BTW.

Deepsea2005 · #13 10/09/2007, 09:33 AM

Thank you TheSaltwaterGuy, zemuron114, mattyice, Cantonesefish, kenettson1, and SuAsati.
I'm glad I asked you guys.
I will think more about adding the Achillies. Event though I love it, I really don't want any fighting in the tank.

kenettson1, I don't have any aggresion issues with the tangs.

SuAsati, here is a picture of the sohal:

thor32766 · #14 10/09/2007, 09:44 AM

how big is the shoal?

nauticac4 · #15 10/09/2007, 10:13 AM

you definetly have the flow for it. You might try to take the PBT out and place him in the sump for a week befoer introducing the achillies. That way they both get re introduced at the same time and the aggression shouldnt be as bad. Good luck I'd love to see it.

SuAsati · #16 10/09/2007, 10:44 AM

Waow, awesome fish.... Tks.

salt-rookie · #17 10/09/2007, 10:48 AM

Its very hard to say! If you go with the conventional wisdom, your tangs should not get along, let alone school together. I would advise getting the Achilles and have a contingentcy plan when you introduce him. By this I mean, another tank or a fellow hobbyist in line to take him if there is a problem. These are beautiful and difficult fish to get, IF it doesn't work out, you'd sleep better at night knowing that you had done some advance preparations to secure his survival. Just my thoughts. Great Tank and Great Tangs! I have 5 in my 180! They are INCREDIBLE!
\
Is that a huge Eflo in the center? Do you ever frag it? I'd love to get in line!

TheSaltwaterGuy · #18 10/09/2007, 03:26 PM

Why not just try the mirror trick when you introduce him? I've never tried it, but have heard it works great. Just a thought.

Johnsteph10 · #19 10/09/2007, 05:37 PM

No.

You have a LOT of tangs in there...some of them very aggressive (PBT, Sohal).

JJ21 · #20 10/09/2007, 08:57 PM

gotta love the tank!
nice black tang too

zemuron114 · #21 10/10/2007, 12:17 AM

I did get an achilles pair once. They do school in nature (some what) but they came in as a pair. They got a long so well, i had to re-sell them as a pair

This is not the normal behavior. Usually just 2 will fight relentlessly. 10+ in the same BIG vat wont fight. Anything less, one is always singled out, then another, then another.

I still think you will be OK if you take the sohal and PBT out for a week or 2.

Deepsea2005 · #22 10/10/2007, 03:47 PM

Thanks you all for your advices.
I've decided to try one only if I find an Achilles is bigger than my Powder Blue. Strange thing is even though the Sohal is the king of the tank, it's very mild compare to the PB.

Tyrosinase · #23 10/10/2007, 04:29 PM

Let us know how it goes.

nosferatu51 · #24 10/10/2007, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mattyice
anyone know if a trio of achilles would work out in a 4x4x2 tank with no other tangs, i can get three of them pretty small so i am wondering do they school like yellows or purples or PBT's?

3 is almost definitely out of the question. I'm sure they would spank each other silly.
Although Achilles generally need a 6ft or more span (mine crosses that in little time, particularly when riding the currents) I think an exception could be made for both of your tanks because of their large diagonal from the square-like dimensions.

Combining a Sohal, PBT, and Achilles sounds like a recipe for discovering just how aggressive your individual fish are. My thoughts are that you will probably have to choose, Sohal or Achilles. My Achilles (granted I haven't had him long) is actually fairly shy and I think a big old Sohal would torment him to no end.
If you wanna try it, I got mine from LA's Diver's Den. If you ask them, they will tell you if they have more in QT right now. My 1st one did not ship well at all and was nearly dead when I pened the bag. The 2nd one was in their QT for a month and a half and arrived just the other day. I told them to put him in a much bigger bag and water (almost 2.5g) and he arrived perfectly healthy. I would recommend asking for the same shipping technique if you get one as well. Be prepared to wait though, they aren't that common and there are a very few sources I would trust to get one from.