Acanthurus achilles
Encyclopedia
Acanthurus achilles is a tropical fish with the common names Achilles Tang and Achilles surgeonfish.
alae. They will also accept frozen and meaty foods such as brine shrimp and mysis shrimp in captivity. As with all Surgeonfish, algae or similar vegetable matter should be included in their dietary intake to moderate aggression and regulate metabolic functions.
and Pitcairn. The fish is also, although less commonly, found in the Mariana Islands
and even some reefs in southern Mexico
and Guatemala
.
, Blennies, Gobies, Chromis, Butterflyfish, and small Lionfish
.
Turbulent water flow and surface movement (either in the display aquarium or attached sump) is essential for Achilles health. Heavy surface movement brings water oxygen levels near saturation. Keeping an adult Achilles well fed can be a chore, with one adult easily consuming one 5"x5" sheet of pressed seaweed daily. Selcon-type products can be utilized several times a week to supplement their diet. A lowered reef temperature of 78F can also assist in keeping an Achilles fat. A standard reef temperature of 80-82F will raise the Achilles' metabolism to a point where adequate nutrition will be difficult. Introducing a specimen of about 5" is ideal, juveniles do not fare well (if they can even be found).
Appearance
They are a medium surgeonfish reaching a maximum of 10in/25 cm at adulthood. Acanthurus achilles are black with striking orange and white lining along the fish's fins and tail. When the fish matures, a prominent orange drop shape develops on the caudal area terminating into a sharp spine.Diet
The Achilles Tang is herbivorous, eating mostly benthicBenthic zone
The benthic zone is the ecological region at the lowest level of a body of water such as an ocean or a lake, including the sediment surface and some sub-surface layers. Organisms living in this zone are called benthos. They generally live in close relationship with the substrate bottom; many such...
alae. They will also accept frozen and meaty foods such as brine shrimp and mysis shrimp in captivity. As with all Surgeonfish, algae or similar vegetable matter should be included in their dietary intake to moderate aggression and regulate metabolic functions.
Range
It is found in various reefs of Oceania, up to the islands of HawaiiHawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
and Pitcairn. The fish is also, although less commonly, found in the Mariana Islands
Mariana Islands
The Mariana Islands are an arc-shaped archipelago made up by the summits of 15 volcanic mountains in the north-western Pacific Ocean between the 12th and 21st parallels north and along the 145th meridian east...
and even some reefs in southern Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
and Guatemala
Guatemala
Guatemala is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast...
.
In the Aquarium
Unfortunately, the Achilles Tang has a poor survival rate when kept in captivity. They are not for the inexperienced aquarist. However, if you are a more experienced saltwater aquarist, you might think about keeping an Achilles. They are peaceful aquarium inhabitants and will rarely bother their tankmates. Just about the only exception is when kept with other Tangs/Surgeonfish, particularly of their own species. Then they will become aggressive towards the other Tang. They are reef-safe, and can be kept with any invertebrates. Possible tankmates include clownfishClownfish
Clownfish or anemonefish are fishes from the subfamily Amphiprioninae in the family Pomacentridae. Twenty-eight species are recognized, one in the genus Premnas, while the remaining are in the genus Amphiprion. In the wild they all form symbiotic mutualisms with sea anemones...
, Blennies, Gobies, Chromis, Butterflyfish, and small Lionfish
Lionfish
Lionfish may refer to:* genus Pterois, collectively known as the lionfish* Red Lionfish , a significant invasive species off the East Coast of North America and in the Caribbean-Fish:...
.
Turbulent water flow and surface movement (either in the display aquarium or attached sump) is essential for Achilles health. Heavy surface movement brings water oxygen levels near saturation. Keeping an adult Achilles well fed can be a chore, with one adult easily consuming one 5"x5" sheet of pressed seaweed daily. Selcon-type products can be utilized several times a week to supplement their diet. A lowered reef temperature of 78F can also assist in keeping an Achilles fat. A standard reef temperature of 80-82F will raise the Achilles' metabolism to a point where adequate nutrition will be difficult. Introducing a specimen of about 5" is ideal, juveniles do not fare well (if they can even be found).