[DrRatzlaff]

I don't have much experience with this fish, but I was wondering........all the Achilles tang's I see in the stores are grey incolor and not the dark purple/black color I see on the fish in the wild. I was told that they are all like this in captivity due to the diet not being the same as in the wild. What do you guys think. Can you get the same color on this fish in a tank? Let me know because I don't want to get a sick fish.

[almostdiva]

They are Red Sea endemics. They like sg around 1.025 (on the high side, since the Red Sea is salty!), and very turbulent, highly oxygenated water conditions, also they require big tanks.

They don't usually get ANY of those things in the LFS, which is why they often look so beat-up.

[dougc]

The coloration of surgeonfish is highly variable and one of the variables is stress. The fish in stores are pretty stressed out, which will affect their coloration. My a. japonicus tang could go from tan to a vivid dark brown in about half a second if something got him worked up. Power blues usually look very washed out in the store, too, but the ones I have seen in home tanks are electric blue.

[BubbaWPB]

I agree with dougc... the washed out color usually indicates stress. Ask to see the fish eat before you decide to get it!

[kevinpo]

They become light colored due to stress or illness. They are easily stressed in a small tank ( less than 90 gals for a small to medium sized one). They are common in Hawaii but are found throughout the Indio-Pacific. They have the same requirements as the Powder Blue/Powder Brown Tangs (Acanthurus leucosternon/japonicus). They are very active and do best in 6'+ long tanks with high water flow and plenty of rockwork to graze on. They can be aggressive once settled in and are very intelligent. I had one at the store that I taught to spin circles for a treat. I think Charlie has it in his 300 now. Best if it is the last fish added.


Regards,
Kevin

[charlie]

I added mine along with a blonde naso. There was already a red sea purple tang that had been in there for a week. There was only one day of hassle.
Everybody is correct in saying that these fish should only be kept in large tanks, they are great swimmers!!!!![IMG][/IMG]

[Reefland]

Maybe one day. Next to the Z. scopas, this is my favorite tang.

[dougc]

Beatiful fish. I am holding off on adding any tangs to my tank. There are a few more fish I would like to add before adding one of these very territorial terrors. I am leaning toward a purple tang, but the achilles is tempting if I can find a really nice one.