Achilles Tang

Looks how to spot one

Scaled, oval surgeonfish

An oval, deep-bodied tang with a steep forehead and a slightly extended snout. The body is a velvety blue-black, set off by a bold orange teardrop patch around the tail spine, an orange tail with a white trailing edge, a pale blue ring around the chin and a white mark on the gill cover. Juveniles lack the orange patch, which appears as they grow.213

Personality what they are like

Bold and lively. It defends its favourite feeding spots and will chase other surgeonfish away, so it is best kept as the only one of its kind with peaceful, robust companions.32

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Very active during the day in fast-moving, surging water, constantly grazing rocks. It needs lots of swimming room and vigorous water flow.31

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Marine reef fish for a mature saltwater aquarium. Typical reef-tank conditions are 24-27 C, salinity 1.022-1.025 specific gravity and pH around 8.2, matching the warm tropical reefs it comes from. Keep water quality stable and offer algae-based meals every day. The blade-like tail spines are sharp, so move it with a net or container rather than bare hands. Strong, well-oxygenated water movement echoes the surge zones it comes from.413

Home where they are happiest

Lives on clear outer reefs and rocky shores in surge zones, usually in the top 4 m and down to about 10 m. A large reef aquarium with powerful water movement and grazing rock suits it. No minimum tank volume from a primary source was found.13

Food basics what goes in the bowl

A herbivore that grazes filamentous and small fleshy algae using flexible, comb-like teeth. Offer mostly marine algae and seaweed foods.13

Company who they like around

Often found in groups on the reef, yet territorial around food; forms monogamous pairs.123

The story where it all began

English biologist George Shaw described the species in 1803, likely naming it after the Greek hero Achilles. In Hawaii its tail blades were traditionally built into fishing lures.23

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN Red List

Least Concern (assessed 3 May 2010)1

Taxonomy

Family Acanthuridae; described by George Shaw in 18032