Achilles Surgeonfish (Acanthurus achilles)

From The Aquarium Wiki

Contents 1 Additional names 1.1 Additional scientific names 2 Origin 3 Sexing 4 Tank compatibility 5 Diet 6 Feeding regime 7 Environment Specifics 8 Behaviour 9 Identification 10 Pictures 11 Videos 12 External links

Additional names

Achilles Tang, Red-Tailed Surgeonfish, Redspot Surgeonfish

Additional scientific names

Acanthurus achillas, Acanthurus aterrimus, Hepatus achilles, Hepatus aterrimus, Teuthis achilles, Teuthis aterrimus

Origin

This section requires expansion with: Location where this animal is found in the wild.

Sexing

Very difficult to visually sex this fish.

Tank compatibility

Territorial to others of it's own species or other Tangs or Surgeonfish. Reef compatible otherwise and peaceful towards other fish and invertebrates.

Diet

Primarily grazes on algae, provide a healthy established reef system and supplement with foods such as spirulina. May accept small meaty foods like brine shrimp.

Feeding regime

Feed once or twice a day.

Environment Specifics

Difficult to keep in captivity. Prefers very large tanks with lots of swimming space. If it's environment and food is not perfect, it can be susceptible to diseases such as Ich. In the wild it lives in the surge zone of the reef, therefore will appreciate a wave maker in captivity. Needs a salinity of around 1.020.

Behaviour

A territorial fish towards other Tangs or fish that resemble Tangs in body shape, peaceful towards other fish.

Identification

Striking orange on black markings. Typical oval Tang body shape, black base colour with white edging to fins and gills, orange tail and a tear drop shaped orange marking at the base of the tail. These markings will show true when the fish is mature, and may differ in juveniles.

Pictures

Videos

External links

• Fishbase (Mirrors: )

• Wikipedia
• Reefcon