Saltwater
Achilles tang
Acanthurus achilles
Acanthuridae, Acanthurinae
Facts
Characteristics
- Length
- Up to 24 cm
- Body shape
- Deep-bodied
Care
- Group
- Missing
- Smallest aquarium
- 332 liters
- Diet
- Missing
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Behavior
Water values
Smallest tank
Range
Native
Lives wild in American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, France, French Polynesia, Guam, Japan, Kiribati, and 12 more countries.
Videos
Care tips for keeping the achilles tang - Acanthurus achilles
Viking ReefingNov 25, 2021
Do you really want an Achilles tang? (Acanthurus Achilles)
Prestige ReefMar 25, 2018
Achilles tang Care (Acanthurus Achilles)
Prestige ReefJun 27, 2015
More about the species
Description
Occurs in clear seaward reefs, usually in groups. Benthopelagic. Feeds on filamentous and small fleshy algae. Monogamous. Spine in caudal peduncle may be venomous. Size of metamorphosis from postlarva stage to juvenile is 6 cm. This species sometimes hybridizes with A. nigricans.
Other names
Other scientific names
- Acanthurus achillas
- Acanthurus aterrimus
- Hepatus achilles
- Hepatus aterrimus
- Teuthis achilles
- Teuthis aterrimus
In other languages
- Akilles' kirurgfisk
- Tulivälskäri
- Red-spotted surgeonfish, Redspot surgeonfish, Redtail surgeonfish
Articles
All articles
How to add new fish4 min read
From the store to the tank: how to get the fish used to your water, why you should add only a few at a time, and what to watch for in the first few days.
Quarantine for new fish3 min read
Why new fish should live in a tank of their own for a few weeks before they move in, what you need, and what to look for.
From freshwater to saltwater3 min read
What is different in a saltwater aquarium: salt, refractometer, live rock and corals. An introduction for anyone thinking of giving it a try.