Achilles Tang

The Achilles tang is instantly recognized by its dark brown–black body and the bright orange teardrop patch surrounding the scalpel spine on its tail base; there are light bluish-white markings around its jaw and on the gill cover. Juveniles do not yet have the orange patch. Because in the wild it lives on shallow, highly oxygenated reef edges where the waves break, it is one of the most difficult tangs in the aquarium: it quickly loses condition in still or warm water and is very prone to marine white spot. All specimens are wild-collected; it is recommended only for experienced hobbyists.

• At least 700 liters and 180 cm in length; very strong flow and high oxygen.
• Salinity specific gravity 1.023–1.026, pH 8.1–8.4, temperature 24–27°C; stable and very clean water.
• Always quarantine for 4–6 weeks before it enters the main aquarium.
• Reef-safe: It leaves corals and invertebrates alone.

Herbivorous; in the wild it feeds on filamentous and small fleshy algae. It needs dried seaweed, foods containing spirulina and algae to graze on mature rocks every day; frozen mysis is a supplement.

Very aggressive towards its own kind and similarly shaped Acanthurus species; for this reason it is usually the last tang added to the aquarium. It usually causes no problems with differently shaped fish.

Good companions: A single tang of the genus Zebrasoma or Naso (in a very large aquarium), anthias, wrasses, dwarf angelfish.

Avoid: Other Acanthurus species, small and warm aquariums, newly set-up systems.