Achilles Tang Diet

DylanE · Jun 17, 2025

I have a very fat and happy Achilles I received through Dr. Reef 2 weeks ago. He's very active and picks at rocks/algae all day, but so far all he's eating from me is nori. I have a yellow, sailfin, and hippo tang as well, and they all go crazy for the frozen I put in 2x daily. He's the biggest fish by far and the yellow made a slight attempt to punk him after he was added, but was quickly put in place. My understanding is they basically eat all algae in the wild, so I just want to make sure he's not going to be missing out on anything if he just sticks to the nori.

krak256 · Jun 17, 2025

A varied diet is important but just give it time. The ones I have had ate everything in the tank and I believe in time yours will too as it takes cues from your other fish.

Trickman2 · Jun 17, 2025

Mysis is a good option to get them going Frozen PE Mysis you can add Garlic like Garlicguard as well to entice him. just saying mine will eat anything under the sun.

Miami Reef · Jun 17, 2025

Message Dr. Reef and find out exactly what he ate in QT.

Largeangels · Jun 17, 2025

Its not uncommon for fish to not eat much at first. Like Trickman2 said PE Mysis is great to feed fish and just about every fish will eat it. Also feed quality flakes and pellets in between.

DylanE · Jun 17, 2025

Miami Reef said:
Message Dr. Reef and find out exactly what he ate in QT.

great idea, not sure why I didn't think of that haha. thanks!

Miami Reef · Jun 17, 2025

DylanE said:
great idea, not sure why I didn't think of that haha. thanks!

Please report back on what he says. I ordered several fish from him for the first time, and I want to be prepared.

Also, how long did it take to receive the anchilles and other fish after placing the initial order?

DylanE · Jun 17, 2025

Miami Reef said:
Please report back on what he says. I ordered several fish from him for the first time, and I want to be prepared.

Also, how long did it take to receive the anchilles and other fish after placing the initial order?

He got back to me super quick:

“We feed them a mixture of frozen mysis and brine with a hint of garlic guard and selcon in our facility.”

So I may try some garlic with the frozen.

I ordered during a sale and requested a later date for shipping due to setting up a new tank. I think it was around 8 weeks totally but most were done around 4 weeks. I was very happy with what I got, particularly the Achilles. I think the advertised size is 3-4 inch and he’s easily 7 and thick.

TheReefer2005 · Jul 3, 2025

How did you get this one from Dr. reef? I have filled the form out twice but no one has reached out or anything about the fish.

DylanE · Jul 3, 2025

andrew2005 said:
How did you get this one from Dr. reef? I have filled the form out twice but no one has reached out or anything about the fish.

That’s weird. Maybe reach out on R2R? I found it pretty easy to get ahold of him. All I did was order it and it came through.

Dr. Reef · Jul 3, 2025

Achilles was eating 50/50 mix of frozen mysis and brine. Thats what we feed all our fish plus some blood worms for angels and butterflies. Along with that sometime we add selcon or garlic extract.
No nori in our qt tanks.
Also we have many requestes for Achilles but unfortunately we have not been able to acquire any in med or small size. What we get or can get is Large or XL currently. You never know things can change anytime.