Achilles Tang Experiences

[pottersguy]

Hi all,
I've been considering an Achilles Tang for years now, but always read about how difficult they can be to keep. He would be added to a 150 gallon FOWLR setup that currently only holds a Potters angelfish.
With that being said, I just wanted to know what everyone's experience has been with keeping them. I have stong water flow in the tank, and I've keep many Acan. tangs with success over the years. Also, is it true that smaller specimens 2"-4" tend to take better to cativity? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[JetCat USA]

lots of flow and pristine water quality and you shouldn't have any problems if you get a healthy one from the start.

[nosferatu51]

I'm gonna try one in my SPS tank when I move later this month. I figure if the SPS are happy they have pretty much the same requirements as the Achilles.

[billsreef]

Lots of flow is key. These are normally found in the surge zone on the reef, the sort spot where you would have great difficulty snorkeling without catching some rocks and sea urchin spines due to the waves tossing you around

[toonces]

Also, I've read about a million threads since I've been on here about Achilles being suseptible to ick. I'm sure you're aware of this if you've kept Acanthurus before. I stongly recommend a quarantine regimine before adding him to your tank.

At any rate, I don't have any practical experience to add. They are indeed a beautiful fish. Although I generally don't agree with tangs in less than a 6' tank, I'd think that the two of those fish in a 150 with alot of flow would work just fine.

Please post pics if you pull the trigger on him.

[pottersguy]

The tank is actually 72"x18"x27". I'm not concerned about it being to small, just wondering what peoples actual experiences with them have been.
Definately would do the quarentine thing, as I do with all new fish. You'r right though, Acans. are like ick magnets!
Thanks

[wet thumb]

I bought my achilles as an orange shouldered tang. I didn't know any more than the person that sold it to me but it was a great deal for $25. Had him for years without a problem. He died in a move when he was in a temporary tank but in my reef tank with high flow and frequent water changes, he did great. Kept with a yellow tang, two blue throat triggers and a purple tang in a 125 reef.

[jnc914]

Get a healthy specimen to start (Divers Den at Liveaquaria), lots of flow, let it be the only tang of its family(acanthurus), and run Ozone to ensure that your water is pristine. Good luck.