Regal Angelfish Question?

[NYReef]

Will a Regal Angelfish eat or destroy blasto's in a reef tank? I am talking about blastomuss and micromussa? What type of coral will they pick on if any?

[sharkbyte1023]

I know there have been alot of positive experiences with them but mine was not. It was a red sea regal and it was fed plenty and a wide variety and it still destoyed zoos and acan lords. It also nearly wiped out a colony of micro's but as far as your other question it did not touch my blasto's. So for every positve i am sure there will be a negative. Good luck!

[Chevrontang25]

Each Fish is different. Some of them like coral and others don't. I had one and it was a pretty good citizen. I would try one. They are awesome fish but make sure it is eating!!

[NYReef]

There is one at my LFS that is eating flake food and frozen food, anything that the guy puts in the tank. Its about 3" and is $60. I just fear for my micromussa and blastomussa, the rest of the tank is SPS and a fox coral.

[Goodwood]

My Red Sea Regal does not eat Blastos, but its always a risk. I would rather have the fish than any acan, blasto, or zoo. Mine does pick at zoos, open brains, sometimes millies and montis. She does however eat Xenia.

Best of luck if you get one, they are a wonderful fish

[jck3120]

I don't mean to hijack the thread but I just picked one up today just after it came in to my LFS. I don't normally do this but there was another inexperienced customer anxious to pick it up if I didn't, so I figured for the fish's sake it would be better off with me. Needless to say I have not gotten it to eat yet, it looks real healthy and is about 3". Got it for $50. He's in quarantine right now, and I tried feeding it frozen mysis, nori, as well as frozen angelfish cubes. It seemed interested in the mysis but when it got close the fish got scared and backed away. Any tips on getting the little guy to eat? I'm thinking tomorrow I might try soaking something in garlic or getting something live...Thanks!

[Treg]

jck,

Just keep at it and be patient. Keep trying different foods but dont give up on the ones you are trying now, Like Mysis.
Also dont sacrifice your water quality trying to get him to eat. It's easy to do...


A lot of people have good luck with fresh PEI mussles on a 1/2 shell, Tho its never worked that well for me.
FWIW, my Regal really took a liking to Rod's food and Mysis.

Good Luck. They can be hard but very rewarding if they make it.

[NYReef]

Post away jck3120, the more info we get the better understanding for the fish we have. Thanks for the responses and keep them coming if you've ever kept this beautiful fish. :rollface:

[jck3120]

Well I have an artificial piece of coral in the tank and he picks at it all the time, so I think thats a good sign. Also just went back to the LFS and he cut off the tip of a piece of sponge that he had and I put it in the tank but so far no interest...Will keep trying mysis. Would soaking it in garlic help?

[Treg]

Garlic wouldnt hurt. Try it with and without...

Selcon is another good thing to try and there is a liquid called Entice by Seachem, I think. It is suppose to work well but again it didnt really work with my Regal...

I think what worked best with my Regal is adding another fish with her that did eat. Shortly after adding that second fish she started eating some Rod's food - then Mysis. Up until then she would eat a lot of feather calupra and Reef Nutrition's Macro Feast (http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=RN-MF&Category_Code=ReefNutrition) but nothing prepared from the water column. I also left small pieces of Nori in over night. They would usually come up missing but I never actually seen her eat them.



It took mine a good 2-3 weeks to eat. Now she will nip at my fingers trying to get the food out. :)

[mallyk]

We try cracking open mussels and fresh clams, and they seem to like to pick at that. Live brine also seems to interest some to eat.

Keeping another peaceful fish around that is a good eater helps. :)