achilles and powder blue tang in 125

[bellaroxio]

Originally Posted by NEreef
most of these achilles tangs will live longer than two weeks, but long-term success is not likely in any tank short of severel hundred gallons.
That was the reason why I thought my 600-gal would do it. BTW, the last one lasted 38 months in my tank. Even named it my fiancee name!

 

[nereef]

38 months is a pretty good captive run for an achilles. congrats.

 

[goldenboy]

To think keeping an achilles is nearly impossible is absurd. I've had mine for quite some time. The problem with the fish is that the enviroment that it is in must not only be pristine, but must be kept pristine. Most of us in this hobby have a week here or there were we skip a water change or don't check our tanks for possible problems with test kits we already have. With this fish and a few others you've got to have at least a six foot tank and a lot of water current like an sps tank. As far as a PBT and achilles together in a 120g tank, you will likely kill both fish. One to a fight and the other to a disease.

 

[srfisher17]

I've noted in another thread, that Purple Tangs seem to be in very short supply-probably due to the turmoil in the Red Sea area (my guess). I've been waiting for a long time and have some credit from my online supplier. I think I'll try an Achilles instead. I have room and I'll follow up with his progress.

 

[kpatrick]

Brandon,
I have thought about a Powder Blue and Hippo also for my 125 but everything I read and everyone I talk to say not to try it. However (not to hijack) I am curious why some people think the Powder Brown is easier to keep then a Powder Blue?? And if thats true, would a Powder Brown and Hippo work in a 125?

 

[jamparty]

I'm not quite sure why nobody else seems to think this is a bad idea...
Powder Blues and Achilles are both from the same family of Acanthurus. Your powder blue is already 6 inches...
I wouldn't keep an achilles and powder blue in a 125 if they were both 3"...much less having one be 6".
Your powder blue will most definitely become the dominant fish in your tank and this includes the 125. 125 is still too small IMO to keep both an achilles and a powder blue. N2M, you'd have to find an achilles of similiar size to the powder blue you have.
Just not a good idea IMO. I feel like you're just testing nature.

 

[brandon7491]

thxs guys for all ur advice and quick responses. after alot of thinking i have decieded not to go with an achilles and a pbt in the same tank. i love my pb and would be devostated if it died cuz it took alot of work to get it to the size that it is now. right now i am buying all my equiptment for the 125. the fish list i am going with is
powder blue tang
purple tang
3 lyertial anthias
six line wrasse
regal angel
long nose hawk
fire fish
blue ribbon eel (MAYBE, im still doing my research)

 

[jhebi]

Good choice, because if you added the Achilles where the PB is, the PB will eventually kill your achilles...My PB was the boss of the tank, but after I moved the tank to the other side of the room, I had the fishes on a 55gl rubbermaid for 40 minutes and after all the fishes went back in the tank, my Sohal becamse the boss, he used to be chased by the PB for food.....

Have my PB for a year, but it seems they don't grow as faster as other tangs...

 

[tangwhispr]

Originally Posted by brandon7491
k well no one has answered my question which was can they be kept in the same tank. i have had a pb tang for 2yrs now in my 60 sps. yes i no too small im awful lol but hes 6inches and fatter than ever. but i am upgrading to a 125 and wanting to know if it would be possible to put an achilles in their with him?

I have had mine in my 300 for over 4 years, the achilles was in first.

 

[tangwhispr]

Originally Posted by brandon7491
thxs guys for all ur advice and quick responses. after alot of thinking i have decieded not to go with an achilles and a pbt in the same tank. i love my pb and would be devostated if it died cuz it took alot of work to get it to the size that it is now. right now i am buying all my equiptment for the 125. the fish list i am going with is
powder blue tang
purple tang
3 lyertial anthias
six line wrasse
regal angel
long nose hawk
fire fish
blue ribbon eel (MAYBE, im still doing my research)
I personally think you will have trouble with a purple tang and a PB, both are way to aggressive, The Red Sea tangs(sohal, purple) are real pains. My Sohal is a nightmare, but my favorite fish....he bothers all the tanks except the goldrim...they hang together.

 

[sudc]

Personally, i think you should ditch the powder blue idea. They aren't impossible to keep but in a 125g with your other fish, it will be next to impossible. It will be cramped and with it's aggressive nature, it's gonna make life a nightmare for your other fish. I have a 180g and won't do the powders because of their nature.
Most guidelines for tangs are not accurate and they need larger than suggested tanks to keep them happy and from going after each other.
It sounds like a nice tank plan, why risk it with an aggressive, ich magnet like a powder blue? IMO, you should definitely go with something less aggressive albeit not as beautiful as a powder blue.