Achilles Tang

I have pretty much talked myself into going with an achilles. I think they are a beautiful fish and would really like to try one. Pricing, on the other hand, is extraordinarily variable. I see some places selling for $40, others for $200 (comparable sizes). My questions are:
1. Anyone tried one of these guys? How did you do? It is widely considered an expert fish, but some RC forums I read even people fairly new had great success with this fish, so long as they didn't do anything stupid.
2. Where would you look for one? I heard they are bad shippers, but I am thinking my chances of finding local are pretty slim.
3. This guy would be going into a 150g. Ideally I would also get a powder blue and those two would be the only fish in that tank. MAYBE a pair of clowns, but I would probably do that down the road as they are probably the easiest thing to come by in the hobby, LOL. I have also read people having success doing this combo, but I would like an honest opinion on whether it would/could work or not. I have no huge issue with sticking with just the achilles and letting him remain the only fish in the tank, but would love a powder blue as well.
4. I understand they like high flow. I am looking to do a 1200gph return with two MP40W's, maybe three if money permits. I will almost certainly have three to four mp40W's down the road, assuming I am happy with them and I budget accordingly. Any thoughts on whether this plan of attack is correct/appropriate?
5. Possible in the wrong order, but I also understand that adults have a far greater likelihood of doing well in a tank than do juveniles? Thoughts? I'd like to try more of a juvi (mostly for my girlfriend, she enjoys the hobby more if she can see the damn thing grow "from a baby"), but would not hesitate to just stick with an adult if it means greatly increasing chances of success.

 

That's a good point. If it kicks it in shipping am I still out the $$?

 

They also want upward of 200 bucks... LOL

 

A search I did online had that price a week or so ago. The point I was trying to make was that the pricing has extreme variation depending on where you look. I have no idea what it would cost to buy locally, it may be the same or more. Regardless, the thread wasn't meant to start a discussion and/or argument on pricing, but rather to see if anyone has had success with one and if so perhaps where it was acquired. Since we did go there, my stand on a 14 day warranty is if it is worth a price premium for you, then go with it. To me, it is not, and therefore am trying to look elsewhere. Who knows, it may turn out that live aquaria is pretty comparable in price. In any case, in an attempt to get this back on track, have any of you had experience with this fish?

 

That's a bummer Joel. Was the one you had a juvi or adult? Was it eating normally for you? What was the flow like? Apparently they require a ton of flow/oxygenation? From what I have researched "up and died" is a relatively common "diagnosis" of the fish. It either lasts a matter of days or perhaps a matter of months.