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Suggested Tank
180+ gallons
Max Size
10 inches
Difficulty
Temperament
Description
A striking oval-bodied surgeonfish, velvety black to deep purple-brown with a vivid orange teardrop over the caudal peduncle scalpel, white bands at the chin and gill cover, and orange-and-white margins on the dorsal, anal, and tail fins. It is a powerful, constantly grazing swimmer that needs a long, open-footprint tank with strong turbulent flow, pristine oxygen-rich water, and heavy algae/nori feeding several times daily. Semi-aggressive toward other tangs and similarly shaped fish, notoriously prone to ich and marine velvet, and best added last to an established reef with a proven quarantine period, a fish for experienced keepers only.
Reef Safe
Yes
Environment
Achilles tangs require a large tank with plenty of open swimming areas. They also need plenty of hiding spots, which can be provided by live rocks. The tank should have a strong and turbulent water flow.
Behavior
Achilles tangs are active swimmers and require plenty of space to move around. They are also known to be territorial, especially towards other tangs and surgeonfish. They should only be kept with other fish of similar size and temperament.
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Owner Reviews
Jeremiah
@Jeremiah365
Corbin Swinney
@CorbinSwinney17506
An amazing and beautiful Tang but they are very sensitive and need immaculate conditions to really thrive in a tank. Any issues at all can kill this fish quick. I would not buy do to it’s hard to care for nature with its very steep price tag.
Brittany
@Brittany24950
One of our favorites that we rehomed due to aggression towards my copperband butterfly. Mostly easy to care for, but they are ich magnets if put into a tank where not everything is quarantined.
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Achilles tang
Acanthurus achilles
