#Acanthurus achilles

[bethanythebogwitch]

Fish-uary 2024 day 4: surgeonfish

Day four of @fish-daily's fish-uary 2024. The prompt is surgeonfish (which I interpreted as Acanthuridae) and I offer the colorful achilles tang (Acanthurus achilles).

[aquariuminfobureau]

The Achilles tang, Acanthurus achilles, which is also known as the redtail or redspot surgeonfish, is but one of the many surgeonfish or acanthurid species that dwell on the tropical reef, and nearby in reef associated habitats. Specifically the Achilles tang has quite a broad Pacific distribution, within which it is found on the seaward side of coral reefs in crystal clear, turbulent water, strongly affected by wave action. Contrary to much information that is aimed at aquarists, this species naturally congregates in conspecific groups. A large member of A. achilles may be up to 24 centimeters or nearly 10 inches long, but much more commonly they are a little smaller, reaching 20 centimeters or 8 inches long.

Despite being sought after by aquarists, A. achilles are often injured by improper handling during capture methods. Such treatment is not only stressful, but also ultimately lethal in many cases. As a result this species has gained a reputation as very difficult to care for, although care by retailers and home aquarists, is not the source of their delayed mortalities. Other than the effects of poor ethics and maltreatment, the only cautions surrounding A. achilles, are the usual caveats with acanthurid fishes, or those organisms from seaward reefs with pristine water. Acanthurids are susceptible, as a group, to attack by the burrowing, unicellular endoparasites that are responsible for white spot and velvet diseases, and treating these maladies in the presence of corals can be problematic.

Acanthurids, the group of fishes also known as surgeonfishes or tangs, are among the important algivorous fishes found in shallow, tropical seas. Other than a few ecological outliers,the acanthurids, and their closest relatives, are either browsers or grazers, and the species naturally vary as to how strictly vegetarian they actually are. A technique called DNA barcoding has identified A. achilles as strictly herbivorous in the wild, and together with existing field observations of their feeding, and comparisons of the shape of their teeth, it is confirmed that this species are best categorized as vegetarian browsers.

The habit of browsing fishes is to nip at fleshy or foliate organisms, which invites analogy with land organisms. Browsing land animals such as deer and giraffes, are those that selectively take advantage of food growing high up, whereas grazers such as zebra, wildebeest, and buffalo crop less discriminately at food very close to the substrate. In the sea, not only plant life but sessile animals are aptly described as subject to grazing and browsing 'predation'. Naturally it is grazing fish that are more likely to damage small polyps, and those colonies with encrusting or plate forming habits, either deliberately or incidentally. Whilst browsers will more likely assail sessile organisms that are fleshy or possess a frondose growth.

Of course A. achilles, being a strict herbivore, is browsing on macroalgae with a frondose or fleshy growth habit, rather than feeding on filamentous algae or microalgae, as some other, often related fish prefer. This species specifically nips at fleshy macroalgae in the wild, and I have heard anecdotes that they can attack Tridacna sp. mantles, which are as fleshy as their natural diet. However A. achilles have no inclination to attack the prized Acropora corals, which share similar requirements to A. achilles regarding water parameters. I would not trust them entirely with any corals bearing a fleshy appearance, but A. achilles is one of the most coral friendly of the Acanthurus species.

In the aquarium A. achilles should be fed mainly on marine vegetables. Acanthurids will also accept prepared foods rich in Spirulina, and vegetables such as courgette or blanched, dark lettuce. As active fish, A. achilles require swimming space, and in reflection of their origins, they need to live in clear and oxygenated water. Although A. achilles has a reputation as extremely aggressive, it does not seem exceptional. Confrontations are usually limited to other acanthurids, and the related siganid species. It would seem that the personalities of individual fishes in this group determine their aggression. Despite naysayers, I have seen more than one mature A. achilles, of similar size, sharing a large aquarium with similar fishes.

Acanthurids obtain their name of 'thorntails' and their vernacular name of surgeonfishes, from the sharp, retractable blades that Acanthurus sp. and its close allies possess. This distinguishes acanthurids from the idols and siganids that do not possess them, and those of basal acanthurids are not foldable. These switchblades on their tails are modified, weaponized scales that can injure a human handler, and damage nets. It is not yet known wether these blades are toxic, but it is strongly suspected that they are in at least some acanthurid species. Either way, it is the presence of these fighting instruments that makes aggression by acanthurids a potential, sometimes deadly problem in the aquarium.

[i-give-you-a-fish]

Can I get a fish with a funky pattern please?

Big fan of this guy. More fish should be like her

You get an Achilles Tang

Acanthurus achilles

[melanieasteur]

[encyclopika]

Animal Crossing Fish - Explained #155

Brought to you by a marine biologist and another fish tied to a legend...

CLICK HERE FOR THE AC FISH EXPLAINED MASTERPOST!

Figured I’d go with this “mythos” theme until I can’t anymore or I get bored. Whichever comes first, really. So, today I bring another Pocket Camp friend who’s gorgeous pattern may just be its undoing - the Achilles Surgeonfish.

This is a summer time fish in Pocket Camp’s Saltwater Shores. It first appeared in July of 2018 and returned for the late summer to fall of 2019. Which makes sense. In real life, the Achilles Surgeonfish, or Achilles Tang (Acanthurus achilles) is a tropical reef fish, common around reefs throughout Oceania and across the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii. They are chiefly algae-eaters, grazing algae off of the coral reef, which benefits the corals immensely by preventing algae from smothering them. Just like it’s cousin the Regal Blue Tang we covered a long long time ago, the Achilles also has a sharp, scalpel-sharp spine by the base of its tail, helping to form the corner of the striking orange, tear-drop pattern.

By Hectonichus - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22733654

The Achilles gets its name from the story of Achilles, who was dipped in the River Styx by his mother to make him invincible. And he was! Except for his heels where his mother held him. The fish is named as so, because apparently that orange-red tear drop pattern reminded the discoverer of the story and I guess the tail stock could be the fish’s ankles? It looks like blood? This is what my sources say. I figured as much.

That beautiful pattern may just be the fish’s own Achilles’ heel. Tangs are extremely hard to keep in home aquaria, with the Achilles being one of the toughest of the group. They are often cited as being aggressive and easily stressed, and will stop eating if their needs aren’t met 100% of the time. Considering an adult goes for well over 300$, it’s a very risky fish to purchase, even for expert hobbyists. Yet, people keep trying and more fish die. 

And there you have it. Fascinating stuff, no? 

[sunkentreasurecove]

[scienceatlas]

Translucent, Achilles Blue Tang Fish!

Translucent, Achilles Blue Tang Fish!

This species of translucent fish, full name “Acanthurus Coeruleus”, is common in Brazil and the USA. Our friend, pictured, came across him at a resort in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Quite small, this species can reach about 1,5 inches in length. This species has a fairly close relationship with water turtles; tang fish feed on algae and residues left in the pallets of water turtles.Translucent,…

[artscult]

004-acanthurus glaucopareius, Achilles Tang - high resolution image from old book.

[reefscom]

Dark As A Moonless Night, The Hypermelanistic Achilles Tang - https://reefs.com/2018/03/19/dark-as-a-moonless-night-the-hypermelanistic-achilles-tang/

[i-give-you-a-fish]

Goth fibsh?

Greacher

You get an Achilles Tang

Acanthurus achilles

[hahalua7]

Achilles tang (Acanthurus achilles) by David R Via Flickr: Oahu, Hawaii

[collectiveofanimals]

Achilles Tang

Acanthurus achilles

Acanthurus translates to a spine or thorn (because of their spines near their tails), while achilles is named after Greek God Achilles. 

Family: Acanthuridae (Surgeonfish, Tangs, & Unicornfish)

Fun Fact: Because Acanthurus achilles and 3 other fish make up 90% of Hawaii's pet trade catches, "...nine Fish Replenishment Areas were established in 2000. These areas prohibit marine aquarium organism collecting within approximately 30% of the Kona coast nearshore habitat."  (IUCN)

Habitat: They are endemic to shores and reefs of the the southern Pacific Ocean (through the Polynesian islands).

Ecosystem Role: They help control algae populations, and provide food to bigger fish.

Conservation Status: Least Concern

[astronomy-to-zoology]

Achilles Tang (Acanthurus achilles)

Also known as the Achilles surgeonfish, the Achilles tang is a species of tang (Acanthuridae) that is native to the Western Pacific ranging from Oceania to the Hawaiian and Pitcairn Islands. Achilles tang typically inhabit reefs in groups and are herbivores, feeding mostly on benthic algae and small invertebrates.

Classification

Animalia-Chordata-Actinopterygii-Perciformes-Acanthuridae-Acanthurus-A. achilles

Images: Sylvain Burguad and Hectonichus

[rolypolydandy]

Achilles tang (Acanthurus achilles)

Photo by Todd Aki | flickr

[reefscom]

Is There Only One Species Of Powder Brown Surgeonfish? - https://www.reefs.com/2016/05/02/one-species-powder-brown-surgeonfish/

[collectiveofanimals]

20140805_31_Chirurgien_a_queue_rouge_Acanthurus_achilles_DSC2032.jpg by Laurent Delmas on Flickr.