Success keeping achilles
 

I'd like to hear some success stories, what was the longest you kept this fish, what was the secret?

I heard these fish like open water, they usually hang out where waves crash and love high turbulent flow....

Please share your advice and pics!

from what I have heard so far. they will do alot better in a 6' tank. bigger the better.

Im sure Marie will chime in about Doofus. :wink:

+1 beauty doofus is hehe:)

I can give lots of stories where I was unsuccessful....... unfortunately.........

Very, very few success stories. Doofus is a major exception and not the rule. Very much the ick-magnet. If its the only tang in the tank, your chances are increased.

There is an Achilles primer on Reef Central you should read. Most success seems to be with bigger specimens and tanks in the 300g range.

I had mine for a little over six years but it should have lasted at least 3 times that long.
I had troubles for the first year with repeated hypo treatments for ick and finally used copper and never had that problem again. When it did die, I had no warning signs and never did find why it died.

Well this is something right down my lane!! I have had 3!!
the 1st one I had was great! Until Someone Poured something in my tank is what I think.. I really dont wanna go into details on this one!
The 2nd Achillies I had for 7 months! and Was eating NLS pellets! and everything! Untill one day, A Bio-Pellet was pumped up from my sump some how and he decided the he was going to try and eat it! And he did! BUT it impacted in his belly and Burst open like a pop bottle full Dry ice!
Now the 3rd I have had for 8 months and Hes doing great! i just put filter socks on the returns for my reactors and He has been doing great! got him on Pellets in the first 3weeks and once you get these guys on Pellets your golden!! soo that my story and my history with these awesome tangs! I do not suggest them for beginners!!

Most reefers I know who've tried them had major ick/disease issues for the first several months. The ones that survive this adjustment to captivity period have a decent chance of long-term survival. I know Doofus caused all sorts of problems for Marie to deal with for the first year or so, but has since been a great fish. It helps that he's the dominant fish and the only tang or ick-magnet in the 175g.