Weird Achilles Tang behaviour... incomp. with Zebrasoma flavescens  6-15-2009
Hi WWM Crew,
<Thomas>
I think my Achilles Tang dislikes yellow. It has been with me for more than 2 yrs & just recently it stress/starve my yellow tang to death. It's a prolonged torture for my YT as my AT don't chase it all the time, only occasionally & not too aggressive, but it prevented the YT from eating during feeding time, to the extend that it eat very little itself and both turned very slim. This lasted almost half a year
<... for what reason/s did you allow this to continue?>
and I tried feeding more, but it's no use. Now that the yellow tang is gone, my AT is eating well and slowly gaining weight again. I know most fingers will point to the fact that both are from the same tang family, but I've a blue tang and previously, yellow eye Kole tang and they're like good friends, absolutely no animosity between them.
<These two are not found in overlapping ranges and have different feeding strategies... unlike the Yellow...>
Before the yellow tang, I kept a golden butterfly and similar aggression happened, but that time the golden butterfly managed to get more food and survived until I passed it to a friend when I decided to keep corals.
I like yellow fish, especially golden butterfly, but I know I'll be putting my corals at great risk. Is there a solution to my problem? I'm contemplating getting two yellow tangs to divide my AT's attention. Do you think it'll work?
<No>
Thank you very much!
Cheers,
Thomas
<Bob Fenner>

Naso, Achilles Tang/Compatibility, sys.  1/19/09
Hi everyone including Bob,
<Hello Julie>
I have a 110G 5 foot long reef tank that has about 50lbs.
<50lbs of what?>
I currently have a 4" Naso Tang I've had for about 7months including smaller fish like a pair of small Maroon Clownfish, Purple Firefish, and a Royal Gramma. Since there is only 50lbs of live rock
<OK, 50lbs of live rock.>
there is good swimming room from one end to the other. My local fish store has a juvenile 3.5-4 inch achilles that appears very healthy. Since this is one of the most rarest fishes I've come across in person, I couldn't pass up the chance to place a deposit and put him on hold. I want to see how he does in the store captive enviroment <environment> and have seen him feed. Will the Achilles behave with my Naso which is my greatest concern.
<Nope, and your present tank will soon be too small, if not already, for the Naso Tang.>
I know in the long run, a 110G wont be large enough for the Achilles and especially the Naso, but I'm hoping for peace and longevity for the next 2 years as I save for my grand tank.
<Julie, doing this is just asking for trouble. I'd put that money toward that "grand" tank and read here.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/naso_lituratus.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/acanthurtngs.htm>
Thank you so much.
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Julie

Tang Acanthurus addn. Question  02/12/06
Hello,
       Love the site!!! I have a quick question for you. I have a 100 gallon reef system with 2 powder blue Chromis, a yellow tang, a purple tang (they get along great!!) Mandarin goby, and two Percula clown fish that live in my bubble tip!! I was wondering if I could add an Achilles Tang to the mix.
<Doubtful>
I know tangs can get nasty, but I just love the way the fish looks and would love one. Please let me know if this would work, or if not, what other "show" fish I could put in with the "gang"  
  Thanks,   
  Jeormy   
  P.S.-Keep up the good work
<Thanks. Not a hardy species... not good in this setting. Bob Fenner>

Achilles tang
I was hoping you could answer a couple question for me. I have a 75 gal reef tank with about 80lbs of LR. I have a Tomatoe clown, 3 shrimp and lots snails/hermits. I have a purple tang (3 inches) in quarantine. My local fish store told me I could add an Achilles tang. I have them both in quarantine with a tank divider. Is this going to work?
<IMO, no. Your tank is too small for these two to peacefully coexist.>
I thought tangs were good together as long as they were the same species (Zebrasoma). I read something on your web page about the Achilles make your other tank mates die- Could you explain further?- Thanks Anjanette
<Have a nice evening. -Steven Pro>

Achilles and Powder Blue Tang…Together? – 06/30/08
Can an Achilles and a Powder Blue get along in a system of 800 gallons...if both the same size and added at the same time?
<<I have mixed Acanthurus species, and seen others do so, in displays of some several hundred gallons…so yes, in systems of size such as yours it is my estimation you could do this. In fact, in a tank this size I suspect you could even get away with pairs of the same species. And just a side note…these fishes enjoy, even require, a LOT of water movement. Regards, EricR>>

Achilles and Purple tang
Tang Compatibility 1/14/09
I will be upgrading my 75 gallon to a 240 within the next year. Still in the planning stages. I would like to have an Achilles Tang, I understand the difficulty of this fish and want to take appropriate actions. I recently bought a small Purple Tang, about 2.5 inches from nose to tail. I understand that purple tangs get very aggressive when they mature, my question is if I get the Achilles Tang that is bigger than the purple can they coexist, or should I remove the purple?
<I do not know what your experience level is, but success in keeping the Achilles requires experience near the expert level. And if I were to do this, I would not want any other tangs in the tank which will aid in reducing stress. Both the Achilles and Purple Tang are aggressive toward other tangs. Be forewarned, your odds of losing this fish are very good.
Do read here. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/badacanthurusaq.htm
James (Salty Dog)>