Why is a Achilles tang Expert?

[SkillKing21]

I just went to my local Reef store and saw a really nice Achilles tang and I wondered why is it a "Expert" fish?

 

[James M]

The success rate of them surviving are low
They are very venerable to diseases,Hard to get them eating, needs lots of dedication and time.
Better left in the ocean

 

[SkillKing21]

Are there any other tangs that would be a better replacement for a 500g reef

 

[KSReef]

Look at some of the Red Sea tangs. To me their coloring is above average in color. The Achilles is expensive and more prone to desease.

 

[Pbh-reef]

The achilles tang, as others have mentioned, is prone to disease so it is usually recommended to QT everything that goes into the tank. It also needs very high flow and high oxygen content and does well with surge flow (it lives/grazes where waves break on the reef). They can also be very aggressive (although not all are).

In a 500g reef you could have success with an achilles if it was set up correctly. Here's a decent intro on what the tang needs: http://www.tfhmagazine.com/saltwater-reef/feature-articles/the-achilles-tang-acanthurus-achilles.htm

Most tangs are easier than the Achilles. Zebrosoma genus tangs are probably the easiest to care for. In a 500 gallon the Acanthurus tangs would work as well, although they are more prone to disease like ich. You could consider the gold rim, powder blue and powder brown, which are similar to the Achilles but less difficult to care for.