Achilles Tang (Acanthurus achilles) Care Guide
Acanthurus achilles is a dark Pacific surgeonfish with a bright orange teardrop that lives in wave-swept surge zones and is demanding in the aquarium.
Overview
Acanthurus achilles, the Achilles tang, is a Pacific surgeonfish of the family Acanthuridae. It has a bluish-black body, an irregular orange blotch near the rear of the body, a white bar on the operculum, an orange caudal fin with a white margin and a pale blue ring inside the snout tip. It is regarded as demanding to keep.
Taxonomy
- Family: Acanthuridae
- Genus: Acanthurus
- Scientific name: Acanthurus achilles
Habitat
The species occurs in the western and eastern central Pacific, from the oceanic islands of Oceania to Hawaii and Pitcairn, with records from the southern tip of Baja California. It inhabits clear seaward reefs and wave-swept surge zones at shallow depths of 0-10 m, typically 0-4 m.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 700 L
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Specific gravity: 1.024-1.026
- Carbonate hardness (dKH): 8-12
- Water flow: high
- Adult size: up to about 24 cm
- Lifespan: 10-25 years
Diet
This is a herbivore that feeds on filamentous and small fleshy algae. In the aquarium it requires plentiful algae or dried marine algae offered several times daily.
Compatibility
Aggressive, especially toward other tangs. It can be kept with wrasses, clownfish, angelfish and sturdy triggers. Other tangs, particularly those of similar shape, should be avoided in smaller tanks.
Reef compatibility
The Achilles tang is reef-safe and grazes algae. It comes from high-energy surge zones, so it requires a large reef aquarium with very strong flow and pristine water.
Breeding
The species exhibits monogamous mating in the wild. Aquarium breeding is not established and is considered an expert undertaking.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (2012), with populations considered stable across its Pacific range.