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About Achilles Tang

The Achilles Tang is one of the most spectacular surgeonfish in the marine aquarium hobby, recognised for its deep black to charcoal body, brilliant orange-red markings around the tail and vivid blue highlights.

It is a highly active and powerful swimmer that spends much of its time cruising through open water and grazing across rockwork. Achilles Tangs are best suited to large, mature reef aquariums with excellent water quality, strong oxygenation, high flow and plenty of established algae growth.

This species has a reputation for being more challenging to maintain than many other tangs. It can be sensitive to stress, water-quality fluctuations and marine parasites, particularly during introduction and acclimation.

Achilles Tangs are primarily herbivorous and should receive frequent access to nori, marine algae, Spirulina and quality herbivore foods. A mature aquarium with naturally growing algae provides valuable additional grazing opportunities.

They are generally reef safe and are an excellent choice for large coral reef systems when their requirements can be met.

Quick Care Guide

Scientific Name: Acanthurus achilles
Common Name: Achilles Tang
Family: Acanthuridae
Type: Marine Fish / Surgeonfish / Tang
Adult Size: Approximately 20–25 cm
Temperament: Semi-Aggressive / Territorial
Care Level: Advanced
Minimum Aquarium: 500 L+
Temperature: 24–28°C
pH: 8.0–8.4
Salinity: 1.023–1.026 SG
Diet: Herbivore
Tank Level: All Levels
Reef Safe: Yes
Suitable For: Large mature reef aquariums and experienced marine aquarists

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Achilles Tangs reef safe?

Yes. Achilles Tangs are generally considered reef safe and are excellent algae grazers for mature reef aquariums.

How big does an Achilles Tang get?

They can reach approximately 20–25 cm, although their active swimming behaviour means they require substantial space even before reaching adult size.

What do Achilles Tangs eat?

They are primarily herbivorous. Provide regular nori, marine algae, Spirulina-based foods and quality herbivore pellets, supplemented by natural algae growth.

Are Achilles Tangs difficult to keep?

They are considered an advanced-care tang. Excellent water quality, strong flow, high oxygen levels, a mature aquarium and careful acclimation are important.

Can Achilles Tangs be kept with other tangs?

They can be highly territorial towards other surgeonfish, particularly similarly shaped Acanthurus species. Very careful stocking and a large aquarium are required.

Common Mistakes

Adding an Achilles Tang to a new aquarium
A mature, stable system with established algae growth is strongly preferred.

Poor oxygenation or insufficient flow
Achilles Tangs naturally inhabit high-flow environments and benefit from strong circulation and excellent oxygenation.

Not feeding enough algae
Regular nori and other marine algae should form an important part of their diet.

Keeping incompatible tangs together
They can become extremely territorial towards other surgeonfish.

Skipping quarantine
Achilles Tangs can be particularly susceptible to marine parasites and stress, making quarantine an important consideration.

Handling the fish roughly
Like other surgeonfish, they have a sharp caudal spine that can cause injury when catching or moving the fish.