This beauty known as the Achilles tang (Acanthurus Achilles) pops up in the trade from time to time. Dark chocolate colors its entire body while a single orange teardrop is present on its spine. White, orange and chocolate lines its tail. It goes by other names that include the red-tail surgeonfish and the achilles surgeonfish.
This highly prized tang is endemic to Hawaii. They get picked up very quickly as soon as they are for sale so finding one may prove difficult.
A very expensive fish, small specimens go for $100 or slightly more while adults can fetch up to $300 per fish. Very big show quality specimens can fetch even more, $400 and above.
Unfortunately, this fish doesn't do so well outside of its natural habitat. They seem to be more delicate than other tangs like the yellow tang (zebrasoma flavescens) or the Blue Tang (paracanthurus hepatus). And thats not the entire story, these tangs don't seem to feed prepared foods.
Like its brethren they are also prone to lateral line erosion, hole in the head disease and marine parasites.
Achilles tangs have been known to interbreed with goldrim tangs (acanthurus nigricans) in the wild. They're highly prized offspring rarely appear on the market and usually cost quite a bit.
An aggressive species, they can be very hostile to larger tank mates. Smaller species like gobies, damsels and dottybacks are usually left alone. They do not take too kindly to sharing tank space with other tangs and can be absolutely brutal towards other achilles tangs. As always, if you insist on keeping multiple tangs always introduce them at the same time and make sure your aquarium is large enough for them.
The Achilles tang reaches 9 inches in the wild, which translates into 7 inches in a aquarium. The minimum size tank for them should be a 100 gallons. Larger tanks are recommended as they require ample swimming room.
Getting these fishes to eat in captivity is challenging to say the least. Nevertheless, we should try our best.
Great news for those with corals, they are completely reef safe. In the wild they graze on algae throughout the day so their foods in captivity should reflect this.
Once acclimated, they accept a variety of foods other than algae. They will eat brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, krill and whatever else you offer.
We should ensure that a large part of their diet is algae based, since they eat so much of it in the wild.
Nori is a good form of algae to feed tangs.Depending on the brand, prices vary greatly. Some people may find Julian Sprungs Sea Veggies to cost a little too much. They produce good algae sheets though. They come in flake form too, making feedings very convenient.
Most nori sheets are produced for human consumption, primarily as sushi wrappers. Prices vary here as well, some are cheap, some are expensive depending on quality.
A clip is normally used to secure the nori for feeding. You can buy a commercial type of fashion one up yourself. The sheets are fed as is or they're folded and cut beforehand. Once the nori is secured, stick the clip to the side of the tank, sit back, and enjoy the show.
Ocean Nutrition produces another good quality food, Formula Two. Along with mixed sea food, vitamins and whatnot, there is an extra amount of algae added to the mix. It comes in 3 forms, frozen cube, flake or pellet.
The best flake food for the yellow tang would be Sea Veggie mixed flakes followed by formula two flakes. A great all-rounder with a good balance of ingredients, New Life Spectrum comes highly recommended as well.
Never feed your tangs lettuce. Pet stores that are trying to save a few bucks normally feed their tangs lettuce. Lettuce doesn't have a place in this hobby as nutritionally its rubbish.
