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Achilles Tang
Tang

Achilles Tang

Acanthurus achilles

The Achilles Tang is a stunning surge-zone grazer with a velvety black body set off by a vivid orange teardrop near the tail. It is a tireless open-water swimmer that demands a large tank with strong flow and constant access to marine algae. Notoriously delicate, it has a thin slime coat that makes it a magnet for ich and crypto, ships poorly, and can be a fussy first feeder — strictly an expert-only fish.

Temperament
Semi-aggressive
Max size
9.4"
Min tank
180 gal
Reef-safe
Reef safe
Diet
Herbivore
Zone
Mid-water, Open water, Rockwork
Keep just one per tank — two will fight.
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Tankmates

How Achilles Tang gets on with the rest of the reef, checked pair by pair by the same engine as the live pre-flight.

Best kept apart

A real clash — aggression, predation or a same-genus fight.

Powder Blue TangAchilles Tang and Powder Blue Tang are the same genus (Acanthurus) and will fight — keep only one.Convict TangAchilles tangs are among the most aggressive surgeonfish and are documented to fight to the death with other Acanthurus species. The convict tang is one of the most peaceful tangs and will be on the receiving end. Keep the Achilles as the only tang unless the tank is very large and both go in together.Sunburst AnthiasSunburst anthias are easily intimidated by large tangs. The Achilles is one of the most highly-strung and territorial of them, and a shy cave-dwelling anthias will simply stop coming out to feed.Mimic TangAchilles Tang and Mimic Tang are the same genus (Acanthurus) and will fight — keep only one.Powder Brown TangAchilles Tang and Powder Brown Tang are the same genus (Acanthurus) and will fight — keep only one.Snowflake MoraySnowflake Moray has a big enough mouth to eat the much smaller Achilles Tang.Zebra MorayZebra Moray has a big enough mouth to eat the much smaller Achilles Tang.Chainlink MorayChainlink Moray has a big enough mouth to eat the much smaller Achilles Tang.Orange Shoulder TangAchilles Tang and Orange Shoulder Tang are the same genus (Acanthurus) and will fight — keep only one.

Keep an eye on these

Usually fine, but worth watching in a smaller tank.

Percula ClownfishAchilles Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Percula Clownfish and may harass it.Maroon ClownfishAchilles Tang and Maroon Clownfish both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.Banggai CardinalfishAchilles Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Banggai Cardinalfish and may harass it.Pajama CardinalfishAchilles Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Pajama Cardinalfish and may harass it.Green ChromisAchilles Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Green Chromis and may harass it.Blue DamselAchilles Tang and Blue Damsel both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.Yellowtail DamselAchilles Tang and Yellowtail Damsel both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.Flame AngelfishAchilles Tang and Flame Angelfish both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.Coral Beauty AngelfishAchilles Tang and Coral Beauty Angelfish both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.Lemonpeel AngelfishAchilles Tang and Lemonpeel Angelfish both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.Bicolor AngelfishAchilles Tang and Bicolor Angelfish both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.Red Saddleback ClownfishAchilles Tang and Red Saddleback Clownfish both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.Yellow TangAchilles Tang and Yellow Tang both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.Helfrich's FirefishAchilles Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Helfrich's Firefish and may harass it.Red Sea ClownfishAchilles Tang and Red Sea Clownfish both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.Yasha GobyAchilles Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Yasha Goby and may harass it.Tailspot BlennyAchilles Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Tailspot Blenny and may harass it.Sailfin TangAchilles Tang and Sailfin Tang both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.Purple TangAchilles Tang and Purple Tang both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.McCosker's Flasher WrasseAchilles Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful McCosker's Flasher Wrasse and may harass it.