How related are they?
Same order, Acanthuriformes (Surgeonfishes, angelfishes and kin): relatives from different families
They split at the family level: the Achilles Tang belongs to Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes and tangs), the African Flameback Angelfish to Pomacanthidae (Marine angelfishes).
Find the Achilles Tang on the tree · Find the African Flameback Angelfish on the tree
Family lines, side by side
Highlighted rows are groups both animals belong to. The marked row is where their lines go separate ways.
| Rank | Achilles Tang | African Flameback Angelfish |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia Animals | |
| Phylum | Chordata Chordates | |
| Subphylum | Vertebrata Vertebrates | |
| Infraphylum | Gnathostomata jawed vertebrates | |
| Parvphylum | Osteichthyes bony fishes | |
| Gigaclass | Actinopterygii ray-finned fishes | |
| Superclass | Actinopteri | |
| Class | Teleostei Teleost fishes | |
| Order | Acanthuriformes Surgeonfishes, angelfishes and kin | |
| Family split | Acanthuridae Surgeonfishes and tangs | Pomacanthidae Marine angelfishes |
| Genus | Acanthurus Acanthurus surgeonfishes | Centropyge Pygmy angelfishes |
| Species | Acanthurus achilles Achilles Tang | Centropyge acanthops African Flameback Angelfish |
Care, side by side
| Fact | Achilles Tang | African Flameback Angelfish |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Fish · Tang | Fish · Angelfish |
| Care level | Expert | Easy |
| Reef safe | Yes | With caution |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive | Semi-aggressive |
| Diet | Herbivore | Omnivore |
| Favorite foods | Dried seaweed (nori) on a clip, Algae-based pellets, Spirulina-enriched brine shrimp or mysis | Spirulina and marine algae foods, Algae grazed from live rock, Angelfish preparations |
| Max size | 9.4 in (24 cm) | 3.1 in (8 cm) |
| Minimum tank | 180 gal | 55 gal |
| Temperature | 72–78 °F | 72–78 °F |
| Salinity (SG) | 1.020–1.025 | 1.020–1.025 |
| pH | 8.1–8.4 | 8.1–8.4 |
| Lifespan | Not documented in the sources we checked; no published longevity study or reliable captive lifespan figure was found. | Not documented in the sources we checked; no published longevity study or reliable captive lifespan figure was found. |
| Breeding | Not achieved | Hard |
| Conservation (IUCN) | Least Concern | Least Concern |