{"product_id":"achilles-tang","title":"Achilles Tang | Acanthurus achilles","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOne of the most striking of all surgeonfish, the Achilles Tang brings brilliant colour and constant motion to a large reef or fish-only display. The teardrop orange marking near the tail is unmistakable. It is a demanding fish that needs a big, oxygen-rich, well-established system, and is best suited to experienced keepers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the wild, the Achilles Tang is associated with clear, high-energy Pacific reefs, particularly surge zones and reef crests where waves keep the water turbulent and highly oxygenated. These areas are rich in the benthic algae the fish grazes throughout the day. Replicating this environment in the aquarium means providing strong, well-oxygenated flow, mature live rock with algae films for grazing and plenty of open swimming space. A bare or newly set-up aquarium is rarely suitable, as this fish does best in a large, stable system with established grazing surfaces.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Achilles Tang has a rich dark body, a bright orange teardrop near the tail base, and orange, white and blue highlights on the fins and gill covers. Colour is at its best in a healthy, well-fed fish and can fade under stress or poor water quality. The adult size of around 24 cm and the need for strong swimming room must be considered before purchase. Like all surgeonfish it carries a sharp scalpel near the tail base, which should be respected during handling. Healthy specimens appear alert, well-filled through the body and grazing actively, without pinched bellies, cloudy eyes or rapid breathing.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperament is best described as semi-aggressive, particularly towards other tangs and especially towards its own species. It can be kept in a community aquarium but the mix needs planning. Suitable companions include clownfish, wrasses, angels, rabbitfish and other robust reef fish that are not close in shape and colour. Housing multiple tangs, or two Achilles Tangs, is risky unless the aquarium is very large and stocked thoughtfully. Add the fish to a settled aquarium with good water quality and avoid combinations that lead to constant chasing.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeeding should be predominantly herbivorous and consistent. Offer dried marine algae and nori sheets on a clip, algae-based flakes and pellets, and a rotation of prepared herbivore foods. A steady supply of natural algae to graze on is important for long-term health and colour. Small feeds through the day suit the fish's natural grazing behaviour better than a single large meal. Occasional meaty foods such as mysis shrimp can be offered, but the diet should remain mostly plant based. Consistent feeding also helps reduce susceptibility to disease, to which this species is prone.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor long-term success, provide a minimum aquarium size of 680 L, with 900 L or larger strongly recommended for swimming room and long-term stability. A longer tank of around 1.8 m or more suits this active swimmer. Maintain temperature at 24–26°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity around 1.020–1.026. Strong, well-oxygenated, turbulent flow is important, as this fish comes from high-energy surge zones. Lighting can be standard reef lighting. Aquascaping should provide open swimming lanes and mature live rock for grazing. Strong filtration, efficient protein skimming and regular water changes of 10–20% are important. This species is prone to white spot and head-and-lateral-line erosion, so stable water quality and a quarantine routine are strongly advised. It is considered reef safe, as it grazes algae and does not typically harm corals.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBreeding in the home aquarium is not achieved and should not be expected. In nature, surgeonfish spawn in open water, often in groups, releasing eggs and sperm into the current. The larval stages drift as plankton for an extended period and require specialised conditions far beyond normal home aquarium keeping. For hobbyists, the focus should be on long-term health, correct herbivorous feeding, excellent water quality and low stress rather than attempting to breed this species.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAcanthurus achilles\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAchilles Tang\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eClear high-energy Pacific reefs, surge zones and reef crests\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUp to 10 years or more with excellent care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive, especially to other tangs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdvanced\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e680 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e900 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHerbivore; marine algae, nori and algae-based prepared foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–26°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.1–8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.020–1.026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarge, established reef and fish-only systems\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include clownfish, wrasses, angels, rabbitfish, chromis and other robust reef fish that differ in shape and colour, provided the aquarium is large and swimming room is generous.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with other Achilles Tangs or similar surgeonfish in all but very large systems, as well as highly aggressive fish that will harass it, and avoid adding it to small or newly set-up tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55234123956515,"sku":"AA2248","price":895.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55234123989283,"sku":null,"price":1030.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55234124022051,"sku":null,"price":1185.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-24cm)","offer_id":55351923540259,"sku":null,"price":1365.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Achilles_Tang_Acanthurus_achilles_e7a36aac-39fa-432a-8b9d-48d44ba564a5.jpg?v=1781681464","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/achilles-tang","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}