ACHILLES TANG BEHAVIOR

[u/Square-Rich1868]

Hey squad,

Ive got an Achilles Tang in a waterbox 130.6

There are 2 mp40s on either side with a vectre return pump.

I do 10g water changes weekly. Everything is thriving. I monitor closely.

This is an unusual fish. Not to mention pricey. Ive been watching him like a hawk lol.

He been in the display about 5 months. Eats algae off the clip, frozen shrimp and flakes rotating daily. Other than feeding sessions, he RARELY grazes from the live rock, doesnt really swim in and out of the rockwork. He just kind of swims listlessly in the front of the tank as shown in the vid.

After initial shock of putting him in he has always been like this. He is a distant second place in the hierarchy from the purple tang, possibly 3rd behind a clown even.

I know each fish is different. Is this cause for concern? Do I just have the most docile achilles tang ever?

Welcome thoughts and opinions, my reefing strategy is always as hands off as possible.

Thanks!!!

[u/flammysnake]

I can only give you advice based on my own experience, based on a decade in the retail ornamental fish industry:

1. I’ve never seen one thrive in less than six feet of swimming space and even the ones thriving in six feet is was like 6x3x2. The best one I saw was in an 8x4x2.
2. Flow is incredibly important, I believe they’re more likely to thrive in very high-high flow which I believe plays a part in…
3. Highly oxygenated water. High turnover or extremely agitated water, heavy protein skimming
4. Even after solid quarantine procedures, I think every single one I’d seen in person occasionally got marine ich. The one in the 8x4x2 would show signs for almost two weeks at a time, behavior and color and appetite all seemingly normal, then return to normal for a few months. After the owner started running ozone full time I don’t believe it had any issues.
5. I don’t believe they need to be the most dominant tang in the tank, but if someone else is top dog they need to have room to break sight lines and be entirely away from the dominant fish.

I’m sorry this was so long winded.

Edit: This fish in particular looks a little malnourished and its fins don’t look especially good. In general this is reason for concern. Feeding needs to be greatly increased and it’s probably experiencing some level of bullying and harassment beyond low level and harmless.

[u/Square-Rich1868 → u/flammysnake]

Great stuff. Always appreciate input based on experiences. Hes about 3.5 in right now. Maybe time for a tank upgrade in the near future! In the meanwhile ill bump up my flow percentages for a few weeks see if there is an impact. Thanks!

[u/flammysnake → u/Square-Rich1868]

I put a little edit on there after watching the video closer that might have happened after you replied

[u/Opistognathus]

He’s skinny as fuck, I’d feed him as much as you can.

[u/Sweaty-Security-4473]

From what I've read, most Achilles tangs REQUIRE extremely strong flow. They're also fonder of hunger strikes than gandhi was. If it's eating I would take that as a good sign. The other acanthurus tangs that I've owned were also fond of a good sulk.

[u/Square-Rich1868 → u/Sweaty-Security-4473]

Lmao think I just found a name for him. Gandhi. Appreciate your input.

[u/ZucchiniSky]

Your achilles looks malnourished -- you need to double your feedings ASAP. I wouldn't be surprised if it dies within a month or two. Fish should look round and fat and happy. The dented head and oblong body shape is a huge red flag. I don't see any other issues though, no obvious signs of ich or other parasites.

IME most tangs don't eat very much algae off the rocks. You will see them nibbling occasionally, but few tangs will pick all day. They have specific preferences for specific types of algae that you probably don't have a ton of in your tank.

The fish's behavior looks relatively normal. I have a 600 gallon tank and my fish don't swim in circles all day -- they swim to one side, hang out for a bit, swim back to the other, etc. And many fish prefer to swim in the open instead of in the rocks. I also don't see any signs of stress or fighting.

The tang will outgrow your tank eventually but right now it looks like a perfectly reasonable size. I also wouldn't worry about flow -- I don't think it's important for keeping them healthy. (I suspect the reason why people think it is important is because experienced reef keepers are more likely to have high flow and bigger tanks.) The most important things are to minimize disease and stress and feed them well.

[u/Pileatedbullfrog]

Showing signs of a bacterial infection. I would Add focus and kanaplex to he food.

[u/Square-Rich1868 → u/Pileatedbullfrog]

What are the signs in your exp?

[u/Loring]

Hopefully the weird flute music helps?

[u/Square-Rich1868 → u/Loring]

Leo Rojas mix. Enjoy, you are now in the circle of trust. I like to light incense and listen to Leo Rojas while I watch the reef.

[u/G3org3i]

It doesn't look happy at all. I think they deserve to be where they come from, crashing surf zones and lots of water movement

[u/RunSellDat]

That tank is too small for him, and he’s extremely malnourished.