Achilles Tang
Achilles Tang
Acanthurus achilles
RareAcanthuridaeVenomous spinesRegional endemic
ID points
- Ink black body with a bright orange teardrop patch on the tail base
- White crescent-shaped tail fin edged in orange-red
- Rear edges of the dorsal and anal fins lined with orange
Basics
- Family
- Acanthuridae
- Length
- 20–25 cm
- Depth
- 0-10 m
- Regions
- Indo-Pacific reefs
- Distribution
- High-surge Pacific coral reefs
- Habitat
- Surge zones on exposed reefs
- Diet
- Algae
Easily confused with
Convict TangFive thin black vertical bars on a silvery white ground, like a prison uniform
Indian Ocean Nose TangBright yellow dorsal fin, two orange plates on the tail base
Powder Blue TangPowder blue body, black head like a maskFun fact
The Achilles tang is deep black with a vivid orange-red eye-shaped patch and tail spine. A prized species found only in the Pacific, it favours surgy, high-energy reef fronts, and it takes its name from the Greek hero Achilles.