Achilles Tang?

A

AKWDFW

Greetings all.. :)

Just a quick and general question about this fish.. Bascially, has anyone had good long term experience with them? I've tried several, some with far better success then others.. The best lasted about 1 year, and only died because of a child-related mishap that caused some chemistry issues..

I've got a 310 now, it's pretty well stocked, but I want to add one more fish.. I've got a friend who can get me one from a tank that has been established for about 1 year.. This makes me feel like it may be a good bet, but I'm still nervous..

Anyone have any good advice?
 
I would say it's a 50/50 chance at best. They are a difficult fish at best. Im guessing it's eating as said person has had it a year. Your best bet would be to quaratine it for a few months by itself, and then and only then add it after it seems clear of all diseases and if its still eating food well. Then its still a risk,,,,but that is the fish itself. Make darn sure your tank parameters are perfect. Not saying its impossible but somtimes it seems that way. So this didnt help too much but yes it's a risk that it wont make it in your tank. Not much help im sure. Cost is always the concern, risks are always present. [smilie=smile.gif]
 
My own observations, take that for what its worth, the key to keeping them long-term is high flow and good oxygenation of the tank itself. Many of the people I have seen who keep them healthy and happy over periods of time all have a lot of flow and in some cases, ORP/Ozone, flowing in the tank. These fish are found at the edges of the reefs where the water is moving very fast and violently and has a high amount of oxygen in it.
 
A fish that swims miles and miles a day wouldnt you say. A beautiful fish non the less. The pretty ones are often difficult...maybe they dont belong in a glass box
 
lots of things dont belong in our glass box ;) but on subject, what other fish do you have?
 
Currently, I've got 3 purple, 2 yellow, and a sailfin tang, a vlamingi tang, a palani tang, a pair of nasos, and a hippo.. I don't think any of these will trouble with an achilles.. Especially considering the size of the fish.. And the only reason I would even attempt one at this point is that I happen to know this fish comes from a tank that's similar in parameters to mine with regards to equipment..

I dunno.. It's kind of a hard decision, as I thought I would never try one again.. But this one has so much going for it..

As far as water quality, I've got around 5ppm nitrate, and my ORP usually hovers around 450-490.. So I think I'm pretty good cleanliness wise.. And I have 3 Vortech MP-40's and a Tunze that's around 4800 GPH.. Not to mention my Dart return.. And when I set up my new tank, I'll have a Hammerhead return.. So I'm covered flow wise, in my opinion..
 
I had great luck with one in my 220G. I also had a Convict Tang that I believe aided in my success as he kept all my fish in the open and somehow got all my fish to eat. I also have high flow.

Unfortunately my stupidity killed most all my fish in my aquarium. I got a new blue tang and did not QT him. He introduced ick into my tank and I ended up loosing everyting to ICK. I learned my lesson the hard way.
 
11 tangs in a 310? I'd resist the urge to add #12. I'm amazed your water quality is okay with that bio-load. Whatever you are doing husbandry-wise, don't stop.
 
So far, my Zebrasoma all school pretty well.. The acanthrus just do laps.. and the vlamingi sort of swims, then sits in one place, pirched..

And actually, if no one comes through on buying my old tank, I may end up setting both of my 8 footers up side by side, putting the bigger fish in one side as a FOWLR, and the smaller fish in the other as a reef.. Still looking at options on that.. Would effectivly double the water volume.. And would look awesome.. :)
 
@Marc wrote:
11 tangs in a 310? I'd resist the urge to add #12. I'm amazed your water quality is okay with that bio-load. Whatever you are doing husbandry-wise said:
I agree, if you set up the old tank side by side then I would go for it.
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