New fish: Which One

[Seagars]

Thinking of adding Achilles Tang or Red tail Trigger. Which one should
I do? Have blue and kole tangs along with fox face.

[zomb]

Achilles Tang no question!!

[mike61289]

How big is the tank?

Achilles tangs are doomed to die in most aquaria. They're super prone to disease, rarely eat, and should simply not be collected for the hobby.

Assuming your tank is large enough, I'd go with the trigger.

[Dmorty217]

How big is the tank?

Achilles tangs are doomed to die in most aquaria. They're super prone to disease, rarely eat, and should simply not be collected for the hobby.

Assuming your tank is large enough, I'd go with the trigger.

? Really, can you site some sources for this? My Achilles is doing just fine and is disease free. Check the Achilles tang primer, plenty of us have kept them with success. They have certain requirements that should be met, but then again so do all other fish available to the hobby

[humaguy]

agree with D.
give them big tanks with lots of flow and they are very happy

[mike61289]

? Really, can you site some sources for this? My Achilles is doing just fine and is disease free. Check the Achilles tang primer, plenty of us have kept them with success. They have certain requirements that should be met, but then again so do all other fish available to the hobby

I'm glad you're having success with your individual, Dmorty.

The point of the primer is to share both the success and failures of keeping that fish. Having said that, we have to consider the Seagars's aquarium and his experience in the hobby before we can advise him further. To suggest that anyone keep an achilles tang without prior knowledge to the hobbyist's experience is irresponsible.

The fact of the matter is that most achilles tangs that are collected for the hobby die either before reaching the wholesaler or in the first few weeks of being kept in captivity. This doesn't mean that ALL individuals are doomed, but there's enough to suggest that we're killing more individuals than we are keeping them alive. This raises the question of why we are still collecting them and why we would recommend someone keep it.

Below are basic quotes from a couple of webpages stating that the achilles tang is challenging.

"experts only" - https://www.liveaquaria.com/product/325/?pcatid=325

"Calling the Achilles tang one of the more demanding members of the Acanthurus clan is an understatement. Like many surgeonfish, these guys are highly susceptible to ich and head-and-lateral-line erosion."
Source: http://www.tfhmagazine.com/saltwater-reef/feature-articles/the-achilles-tang-acanthurus-achilles.htm
"When we look at all the potential problems existing with this species—susceptibility to parasites, feeding difficulties, aggressive or passive nature regarding tankmates—it might seem crazy for anyone to even think about housing one."
Source: http://www.tfhmagazine.com/saltwater-reef/feature-articles/the-achilles-tang-acanthurus-achilles.htm

"The Achilles Tang is one of THE most challenging fish we have collected, shipped, and cared for. It is sensitive to ammonia poisoning, is an extremely difficult species to handle, and therefore should only be kept by an experienced aquarist.

It sounds silly, but this a fish that seems to break out with ich if you even look at it the wrong way. The Achilles Tang can be a picky eater, and may not readily accept foods offered."
Source: https://www.thespruce.com/achilles-tang-profile-2925718

"***Prior to purchase, please bear in mind that the Achilles Tang is a very demanding species that requires an aquarium planned around its well-being; the tang should be made the centrepiece of the tank, with all the other variables worked around to suit its specific needs. Experienced aquarists only***"
Source: https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/databank/achilles-tang

[Pslreefer]

Achilles, without a doubt!

[Dmorty217]

I'm glad you're having success with your individual, Dmorty.

The point of the primer is to share both the success and failures of keeping that fish. Having said that, we have to consider the Seagars's aquarium and his experience in the hobby before we can advise him further. To suggest that anyone keep an achilles tang without prior knowledge to the hobbyist's experience is irresponsible.

The fact of the matter is that most achilles tangs that are collected for the hobby die either before reaching the wholesaler or in the first few weeks of being kept in captivity. This doesn't mean that ALL individuals are doomed, but there's enough to suggest that we're killing more individuals than we are keeping them alive. This raises the question of why we are still collecting them and why we would recommend someone keep it.

Below are basic quotes from a couple of webpages stating that the achilles tang is challenging.

"experts only" - https://www.liveaquaria.com/product/325/?pcatid=325

"Calling the Achilles tang one of the more demanding members of the Acanthurus clan is an understatement. Like many surgeonfish, these guys are highly susceptible to ich and head-and-lateral-line erosion."
Source: http://www.tfhmagazine.com/saltwater-reef/feature-articles/the-achilles-tang-acanthurus-achilles.htm
"When we look at all the potential problems existing with this species—susceptibility to parasites, feeding difficulties, aggressive or passive nature regarding tankmates—it might seem crazy for anyone to even think about housing one."
Source: http://www.tfhmagazine.com/saltwater-reef/feature-articles/the-achilles-tang-acanthurus-achilles.htm

"The Achilles Tang is one of THE most challenging fish we have collected, shipped, and cared for. It is sensitive to ammonia poisoning, is an extremely difficult species to handle, and therefore should only be kept by an experienced aquarist.

It sounds silly, but this a fish that seems to break out with ich if you even look at it the wrong way. The Achilles Tang can be a picky eater, and may not readily accept foods offered."
Source: https://www.thespruce.com/achilles-tang-profile-2925718

"***Prior to purchase, please bear in mind that the Achilles Tang is a very demanding species that requires an aquarium planned around its well-being; the tang should be made the centrepiece of the tank, with all the other variables worked around to suit its specific needs. Experienced aquarists only***"
Source: https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/databank/achilles-tang

I agree with what you said, and I have no idea what size tank the OP has. The member with 17 posts that said Achilles wasn't taken seriously by me, and I would imagine most others who read that felt the same way. Being that the OP has a foxface and a bristletooth tang and not (tangs) I'm guessing the tank is undersized for a Achilles. There are countless other fish that "shouldn't" be collected for this hobby but that doesn't seem to stop the flow of them to the marketplace. Moorish Idols come to mind (I have one of those too)
(orange spot filefish, any corallivore butterfly, most all sharks to name a few)

[Seagars]

tank is 200g. with plenty of flow. have been up and running for some 5 plus years
How big is the tank?

Achilles tangs are doomed to die in most aquaria. They're super prone to disease, rarely eat, and should simply not be collected for the hobby.

Assuming your tank is large enough, I'd go with the trigger.

[mike61289]

I agree with what you said, and I have no idea what size tank the OP has. The member with 17 posts that said Achilles wasn't taken seriously by me, and I would imagine most others who read that felt the same way. Being that the OP has a foxface and a bristletooth tang and not (tangs) I'm guessing the tank is undersized for a Achilles. There are countless other fish that "shouldn't" be collected for this hobby but that doesn't seem to stop the flow of them to the marketplace. Moorish Idols come to mind (I have one of those too)
(orange spot filefish, any corallivore butterfly, most all sharks to name a few)

Totally agree with you about the other fish. Happy to hear both the tang and idol are doing well.