Stocking the tank

L

landon_brim

Has anyone on the board ever successfully kept an achilles tang? I think these fish are awesome, and seem to be farely rare in the pet stores. I am considering a new fish, and the achilles is one that I am looking at. After doing some reading about the species, it seems to me that they may be difficult to keep. If there is anyone out there that has one or has had experience with them, please help me out. The las thing I want to do is spend $65 on a fish that is going to die in a week.
 
That is really what I figured, but thought I would check with everyone here. I just hate to spend that kind of money on something pretty much knowing the chance of survival. Quarantine would for sure be in order. Any one else have any experience?
 
I've seen them at Fish Paradise from time to time over the years.
 
I saw an Achilles Tang today at Fish Paradise. It is $89.99. It was beautiful, and looked healthy.
 
IMO the Achilles is one if not the most stunning and beautiful fish in the trade. THe problem that most people encounter if they survive is that the fish will turn very agressive to all of the other inhabitants over time. Now, this is a generalization. No one can predict any behavior of a fish, but this seems to be the antecdotal finding.

I would love to try to keep on, but not at the expense of all of the other fish in my tank. :cry:
 
I am still in limbo. My hospital tank isnt fully ready to go yet, and I just cant get over the price tag on a fish that is unpredictable. I will for sure keep you posted.
 
Landon,
This is also one of my dream fish and I hope to someday have one. That's one of the reasons I hope to go up to a 180 in the future. One of the nicest tanks I've seen has a Powder Blue and an Achilles in it. Both are fat and happy. That being said, the tank is a 240gal and the owner has more experience and knowledge than I could hope to aquire in a lifetime. I'm sure you know this, but from what I've read one of the problems people have is not having the desiredturbulence in the tank for the fish. BTW, I was over at DNA last week and they had a full grown beautiful Achilles that I think someone had traded in. They had it marked at $189.99.......yikes. Of course this was at DNA, but still seems a bit pricey.
Charley
 
We have had two achilles. Both of them died around the 2.5 year mark. They need great water quality and plenty of water flow. I think one of the keys is finding a healthy one. Both of mine I found in different cities and brought them home with me. The most recent one I found in Corpus Christi. The lfs owner said she had it in their display tank until it killed all of the other fish. She also used to take it to home shows. We put it in an aggressive tank and never had any aggression problems with it.

Both Achilles broke out with ick all the time but would end up clearing up on its own. A QT will help in the beginning but it will probably still break out in ick occassionally. It is definitely do able but will be a challenge. Don't get one if you are going to freak out everytime it gets ick.
 
Thanks for all the input. It is good to see that someone has actually kept one with minor problems. I think the fish is just awesome. If I could buy a healthy fish, and keep it for 2 to 2.5 years, then I would call it a success. However, I feel like I might should wait another couple of months to try to get a few more powerheads, or upgrade what I have. Thanks again.
 
Marc, I went to Fish Paradise yesterday, and saw the beauty. It looked very nice with the exception of all the ick that it was covered in. I have decided to wait a while on buying this fish. Thanks for all the input.
 
If you'll read this month's Reefkeeping Online (RKO), and check out the TOTM, Jdieck has the very tang you want. He can surely give you some input about this fish.

When I saw it at FP, it was completely ich free. :cry:
 
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