How related are they?
Same order, Acanthuriformes (Surgeonfishes, angelfishes and kin): relatives from different families
They split at the family level: the African Flameback Angelfish belongs to Pomacanthidae (Marine angelfishes), the Achilles Tang to Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes and tangs).
Find the African Flameback Angelfish on the tree · Find the Achilles Tang 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 | African Flameback Angelfish | Achilles Tang |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pomacanthidae Marine angelfishes | Acanthuridae Surgeonfishes and tangs |
| Genus | Centropyge Pygmy angelfishes | Acanthurus Acanthurus surgeonfishes |
| Species | Centropyge acanthops African Flameback Angelfish | Acanthurus achilles Achilles Tang |
Care, side by side
| Fact | African Flameback Angelfish | Achilles Tang |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Fish · Angelfish | Fish · Tang |
| Care level | Easy | Expert |
| Reef safe | With caution | Yes |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive | Semi-aggressive |
| Diet | Omnivore | Herbivore |
| Favorite foods | Spirulina and marine algae foods, Algae grazed from live rock, Angelfish preparations | Dried seaweed (nori) on a clip, Algae-based pellets, Spirulina-enriched brine shrimp or mysis |
| Max size | 3.1 in (8 cm) | 9.4 in (24 cm) |
| Minimum tank | 55 gal | 180 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 | Hard | Not achieved |
| Conservation (IUCN) | Least Concern | Least Concern |