Achillies Tangs

[Chris Lakies]

I have been interested in keeping an Achillies tang in my reef tank for about 2 years now. What are some of the downfalls of this fish? What kind of foods are best for them? I have a 55 gallon tank with about 45 pounds of live rock in the tank and in sump. I have plenty of algea to go around and varius hard and soft corals. Will I have to give this fish extra greens like Nori?

[Bone]

It's a beautiful fish. I had one a while back but it died after a bout 3 months. I blame overcrowding, it was in a 55g tank with a couple other fish.

1) They are among the most agressive of tangs.
2) They love to swim and dart around.
3) They like to graze continually.
4) They are among the most sensitive tangs. (ich)

IMO a 55g tank w/ 45# of LR will not provide enough swimming space for a tang, especially when the get large.

Sorry to rain on your parade

[Northman_with_reef]

You can Keep an archilles, as long as its small..
When it grows big you can sell it or give it to an LFS or somthi'n.

Just make sure your params are stable....if their not, youll stress your fish and probably cause an outbreak of ICH or odonium.
OHH, and Cramped space=Stress=ICH.

Beutiful fish!!! Anyone think I can keep an adult in my 100gal????

[Evets]

Achilles tangs need lots of water flow and lots of room to swim. The only people I know, or know of, with long term success with Achilles tangs, have long tanks (8-10') and lots of water flow. It would take an amazingly hardy and adaptable specimen to survive, much less be happy, in a 55 gallon tank.

Achilles also need the usual tang diet - lots of greens on a steady basis.
-Steve

[Northman_with_reef]

My tank is 150cm long, would that do for length???