Regal Angel Primer

[ddr]

Here is my Regal Angel, I got it on Friday 02/11. So far its taking up prepared food (My own DIY MIX) that I press onto a small piece of rock. Its mowed down one small batch of zoos & gotten a clean from the cleaner shrimp.

It wont take food directly from the water column yet, but as long as its taking the prepared food from the rock I dont mind.

http://users.bigpond.com/aquaticlighting/newtank/regal.jpg

Its in a 280G.

Dan.

[MrMongoose]

Thats a good start....Good luck.

[malegolf]

Looks good, give it time.......

[onereefnotenuf]

i just spent about 1 half of an hour reading these 11 pages and as a whole keeping regal angels is a pretty risky and a likley to turn out bad endeavor. I counted 11 dead fish not including the one caused by the pump failure. i doubt you will find another thread with a 1 death per page ratio unless you look at gonipora.
There is no doubt that this is arguably one of the most beautiful fishes that swims, but This kind of track record has me wondering if it is worth taking this beautiful animal out of it's enviroment just so half the people who own one can watch it die within a year?(that is my guess not a hard fact) don't get me wrong i've killed my share of fish through ignorance and thinking i knew a better way that somehow the experts were missing.I am not hinting that those of you who have tried this are ingnorant . the beginning of the thread looked good. i started reading it because i have always been interested in the angels and this would be the best looking of all(imho).

Maybe there are better foods out there that will make it easier or maybe this pooling of information will improve the odds, i don't know. I hope so because I want one too! i am going to wait until i think i can keep one alive long term.

[malegolf]

Good luck, there's a lot of grateful, happy, proud, Regal owners. It's a risk only you can decide if you want to take, maybe you want to read it again before you decide and take the good with the bad. We will all be here to support you if you decide to get one.....

[dchao]

1reefnotenuf,

I disagree with you here, if no one will ever buy a Morris Idol or a Regal Angel, do you think it will increase their survisor rate in the wild? Even if they are forbiden from importing into the US, do you think the diver will ever think "oh - it's a Regal let me set him free"? No the fate of the fish is decided once it's been collected, it either is going to die in the collection point, or shipped to your LFS. IMO, as long as there are people buying marine fish, these beautiful fish will always be collected, I would rather they ended up at a collector's home and been taken care of.

[Aquaduck]

I don't feel one bit guilty about purchasing this fish. I was back in the city I grew up in after going to a funeral and happened to have time to drop in on the local fish store where I spent many $$ years ago to buy some food. I couldn't believe that they had this fish for 6 weeks and were feeding it dried blood worms and nothing else. They had it marked down to $75 from $100 Canadian. I thought about it for a good half hour if I should take the chance on it. I knew about the problems with keeping this fish and I was aware the Indo Pacific species could have been cyanide caught. I thought if I don't buy it someone else who knows nothing about the requirements of this fish is going to end up taking it home in a fish bowl. So I brought it home instead and it's been doing great. It's the center of my attention at feeding time. I make sure she gets fed many times a day and before the other fish.

This would not have been a fish I would have requested to be brought in special order. I just happened to be there when it was. I'm sure it would surely have died if I had not brought it home to a reef full of sponges, zoos, and sea squirts. Speaking of zoos, it's time to get some more.

[onereefnotenuf]

aquaduck,dchao:
you guys are making me argue a point i wasn't trying to make. as far as supply and demand goes i think you have it backwards.
if no one buys this paticular species there is no market for the fish, they won't be collected because no wholesaler will buy them if they know they can't sell them.
I did not mention anything about their wild population or how it is affected. whatever the small number of fish taken per year can't be much if any impact on this fish.
the only point i was trying to make is it seems wastful(for lack of a better word) for lfs's and online sellers to offer a fish that has a pretty good chance of not surviving long term.
Every book i have read(specifically the conticious marine aquarist) on reef's and reef fishes makes some comment about trying to keep invertabrates and fishes that have bad track records in the ocean until something comes along that makes keeping them possible(or at least gives them a better chance).
when i think i am ready and the current animal husbandry methods are ready, i will be ordering one right away.
it is good to see you guys succeeding.

[dchao]

The point I was trying to make is that the these Indo-Pacific divers when they are collecting fish from the reef, either use net of cyanide, are not thinking what fish to collect what fish not to collect. Everything goes into the net, and bought back to the collection point. These divers are paid peanut to collect reef fish, and frankly, they have no ideal which fish will not make it to your home which will make the most profit for the wholesaler.

If everyone stop buying these fish, I don't think they will be left on the reef either. If there is no market in the US, these fish will still be collected and will certainly die at a collection point somewhere in Indonesia, due to the lack of demands. (or be shipped to HongKong and to be packed in a 100G tank with 20 other angels). The choice is yours.

[onereefnotenuf]

so you are saying collectors don't know what they are collecting? they just go down spray indescriminately and pick up anything that comes out of the reef regardless of its value? collectors are paid salary not by what they collect and not what it is worth?
i don't know much about collecting reef fish as you can probably tell!

I can't imagine a cyanide caught regal, with all the difficulty associated with keeping a heathy one, has any shot at survival.
once again just my opinion i do not have personal experience

on your post you said net of cyanide did you mean net or cyanide?

[MrMongoose]

If you really want to FIX whatever problem thier is.....its on the wholesalers hands....they simply stop buying fish from suppliers w/ a bad survival rate, buy certified fish only. Pretty sad when the all mighty buck out weighs killing some awesome fish.
As far as the individual goes, Don't buy this fish or any fish until you reserched thier needs and are confident that you can meet them. Think about it, its pretty bad we are picking them from the ocean but atleast meet their needs in your tank.
my .02
-Nathan

[dvmsn]

I agree with onereefnotenuf to a certain degree. We must take some responsibility for creating demand for these fish. I just purchased my second regal this weekend. I lost my previous regal to pump failure. I would NEVER have a regal angel ordered into the lfs. My justification for purchasing this fish goes something like this, its crappy logic and totally emotional, but here goes. The individual fish I purchased are already out of the ocean and in captivity.

I have a fairly large, well established reef tank. The majority of people how have salt water fish ( general population, not this message board) are inexperienced and have 75 gal and smaller, FO tanks. success this fish goes home to a FO/55 with bleached coral decoration and an undergravel filter, where the only thing that is fed to the tank is flake, the regal is DOA. I'm not knocking this type of set up. It is how I started and how I learned. I think everyone would agree is totally unacceptable for a regal.

By purchasing these fish, at least those individual fish have a higher likelihood of living in a proper set up than it would in a more typical salt water set up.

I would also argue that the majority of the impetus for controlling the importation of difficult species must come from the wholesale level. Most people who get into the hobby are out of it with in a year. People are always going to want to buy pretty fish. Most people don't know any better. They SHOULD, but they don't. As long as people are willing to pay one hundred dollars for a fish, somebody is always going to be willing to sell it to them (think crack dealer)

I wouldn't advocate governmental regulation because the government is a seven headed hydra . Once it sinks its teeth in it never lets go. It is slow to react to progress and difficult to move.

My diatribe.

[nctangman]

I am in the process of upgrading to a 240 gallon tank. I have always had an interest in keeping this fish.

Before I read this thread, I didn't think it was possible to successfully keep this fish (due to all the literature saying to leave this fish on the reef); now I have a little more faith in keeping this fish. I am surprised that most of the success stories are coming from the Indian Ocean. (this is contrary to all the literature that I have read saying the Red Sea specimens fair better.)

I have the following questions:

1. Should be the first or last angelfish placed in the tank. I plan on having an Emperor and possible a Scribbled angelfish.

2. If I have the opportunity to choose a specimen from the Red Sea or Indian Ocean which one should I choose??

Thanks for this thread.
Kirk

[malegolf]

I was told to ad mine and wait for 3 or 4 months before I ad another angel. The one I got from the Red Sea died, the one I have is from Indian Ocean...

[nctangman]

Malegolf,

Thanks for the reply.

So the fish from the Indian Ocean has a different chest color than that of the Red Sea. (and supposedly a higher death rate)

Is that the only difference??

Kirk

[malegolf]

Here's mine,

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/malegolf/150%20Gallon%20Acrylic/Regal13.jpg

[nctangman]

Very nice looking fish.
What do you feed it to maintain its bright colors?


Maybe one day, I will have one in my tank.
<VBG>

Kirk

[MrMongoose]

FYI, here is a Redsea in comparison.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/524/64845For_RC.JPG

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/524/64845RC2.JPG
You can see the yellow belly better in this pic.

[ddr]

Originally posted by MrMongoose
Thats a good start....Good luck.

Thanks, Its eating well now. Instead of pressing my diy food onto the rock I have been tieing a Pipi flesh onto the rock, The angel then happily tears pieces off & eats them.

Its also happy crusing around the tank now.

Dan.

[harsaphes]

sorry, what is a Pipi flesh?

[nctangman]

MrMongoose,

Thanks for the pics !! What do you feed your Regal?

[MrMongoose]

I feed a combination of Mysis & Squidd at night w/ either garlic or selcon. In the morning a combination of Red & Green seaweed. My new purple tang has been freaking him out lately so he doesn't get as much food as he normally does. My Purple Tang goes crazy when food is on the water and the Regal doesn't like that....either the Regal will get use to it, the tang will learn to chillout, or the tang is going bye bye.
-Nathan

[ddr]

Originally posted by harsaphes
sorry, what is a Pipi flesh?

The inner parts to the Pipi, which is a small clam/cockle/bivalve, I think Pipi maybe an Australian name for them but they are good fish bait. They are cheap too, about $2 for 1kg.

Here is a link that kinda describes them:
http://www.bushmobile.com.au/pipis.htm

I pull the flesh out of the shell & tie it to a rock, Last night the regal also took some nori.

Dan.

[nctangman]

Dan (ddr),

So I assume we in the States are unable to get such a thing?
If so, what would you recommend for a substitute?

Kirk

[ddr]

Originally posted by nctangman
Dan (ddr),

So I assume we in the States are unable to get such a thing?
If so, what would you recommend for a substitute?

Kirk

Im not sure, there should be a substitute. Try Bait shops for small clam type things. Fresh oyster or muscle should work too. Scalops or similar, or even the Clams you make clam chowder from should work, fresh or frozen.

Id try a Bait shop for a cheap bait bivalve 1st.

If i didnt have other fish in there id leave it in 1/2 its shell too.

Maybe even some squid tied to a rock may help.

I didnt realise the Pipi was an Australian only thing sorry.

Dan.

[sabodish]

guys..sorry to resurrect this 2 week old thread but i have a chance to purchase a red sea regal that has been in my LFS for almost a month now and is eating. i have a 360 gallon reef which currently contains a few zoos (not enough for me to care about), 2 LARGE meat corals and a nice open brain. in all your experiences, do you think the meat and the open brain will become a meal for the regal?

also, current tank fish are yellow tang, purple tang, hippo tang, tennetti tang and a 8" lunare wrasse...the tangs are pretty docile, my main concern is the lunare wrasse..any of you guys see a problem there?...the regal in the LFS is approximately 3-4".
thanks
mike
ps..copps..thanks for directing me to this thread

[malegolf]

Mine's not touched this??????

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/malegolf/150%20Gallon%20Acrylic/Brain.jpg

[sethd12]

my regal that i have had for over 2 years loved scolymia's and wellslophylia's. i had to take both of that type out but other than that he doesnt touch anything. he doesnt even look at my zoanthids patches.
seth

[mmmmsushi]

Mine hasn't touched anything including Zoos, sponges, and an open brain. She only goes after food I put in. And luckly, she eats anything I put in.

It's going to differ for each fish. Some will eat anything that looks fleshy. Some are like mine. It's going to be hit or miss.

[PITSTOP]

My reef has a 120 gallon display (4x2), with a 40 breeder sump, and 15 fuge...

Current fish: Yellow tang, Blue hippo tang, Kole Yellow eye tang, six line wrasse, citron goby, 2 sebae (7 total)

SPS dominated

CAN I ADD A REGAL ANGEL TO MY REEF???

[malegolf]

I would get a bigger one than the Tangs?????? I was told that the Regal could be intimidated by larger fish??????? My 2cents????

[DJPB]

Yeah I agree. Try and get a good sized one, and make sure that it is eating at the LFS before you buy it.

I have a regal in a sps dominated 120g with 2 tangs and several other fish and have had 0 problems...

[PITSTOP]

Which sea produces the easiest to keep Regal Angels...Red Sea, Indo Pacific, or Fiji?

[robyoung]

Wow great thread!

I just saw regal at my LFS yesterday. They'd only got the shipment that day from the Red Sea, but already he was swimming around looking healthy. He is about 4-5".

I'm very tempted to get him for my 210 FOWLR when he starts feeding. I'm just not sure about quarantine, as a rule i always QT my fish, and i really dont want to introduce anything in to the display tank.

But its been said on here that its maybe not the best idea to QT the Angel? My QT tank is 30 gal, so large enough for a temp home, i think i will try keep him in there till eating healthily and then transfer after a few weeks as long as no diseases are apparent!

I'm hoping it all works out, such a beautiful fish!

Thanks
Rob

[MrMongoose]

Originally posted by robyoung


I'm very tempted to get him for my 210 FOWLR when he starts feeding.

Or IF he feeds, Most LFS don't know $hit from Shineola. Make sure you don't have any fish that will stress him out, and that you have good water quality...undecetable N03/N04/Ph04

I wouldn't QT him its added stress that he surely doesn't need to be put through. Besides Jesus doesn't allow parisites to live in the RedSea :D

Good luck if you decide to try one.
:)
-Nathan

[robyoung]

Or IF he feeds, Most LFS don't know $hit from Shineola. Make sure you don't have any fish that will stress him out, and that you have good water quality...undecetable N03/N04/Ph04

Well yes, i will make sure i witness him feeding! But my initial thoughts were he looked healthy and fat, and was swimming happily in the open on the day he arrived! The LFS are good, they have succesfully kept Banded sharks, rays and other 'difficult' fish.

I'll definitely make sure my water is perfect before adding him, and all i have at the moment is a Volitan and Porcupine puffer (both smaller than the Angel) i'm sure these fish will leave him alone but will monitor closely!

Thanks for the advice, I'll let you know how i get one if i purchase him..... hmmm!

thanks Rob

[malegolf]

I agree, don't QT it, the only stresses him one more time.....

[secrest]

After a year of research i decided to purchase a regal angel last night. It looked amazing in the tank at the local fish store and was eating like a pig. I figured it would take him a while to look this well in my tank. But to my surprise, when i got him home within an hour he was devouring the new life spectrum pellets i was feeding the rest of the tank. I'm guessing im pretty lucky here right? I'm seriously amazed and couldnt be happier. I just hope 10 years down the road he's still as happy, then i'll call myself successful.

[dvmsn]

Second regal angel update. After about three weeks of his appetite steadily increasing, he decided to stop eating completely around the 19th of February. He finally died a slow painful death on March 11. He was a nibbler at the fish store. I probably wouldn't have bought him if I didn't get such a good deal. As I said before, I would never request my LFS to order one in. Far to many die to justify this. In addition, I will never buy one again that is not feeding with absolute gusto. My first regal, which did well until a pump failure caused the whole tank to crash, ate very well at the LFS and in my tank from the start. I will never take a risk on another one in the hopes it will turn around.

[secrest]

Hopefully i can get some help from some of you that have had this fish for some time now. I have a foxface that DOES NOT like my new regal angel. I'm thinking of trading the foxface in to the LFS. I really dont want any stress to be done to my new "baby". Its strange too, the regal angel is the biggest fish in my tank and after only one day in the tank he's already the boss....until he meets mr. foxface...lol. Your opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

[malegolf]

I got this Purple Tang last Sunday, they follow each other around the tank and swim together all the time????

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/malegolf/150%20Gallon%20Acrylic/RegalTang.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/malegolf/150%20Gallon%20Acrylic/RegalTangI.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/malegolf/150%20Gallon%20Acrylic/RegalTangII.jpg

[madmac]

Sorry to hear of your loss, dvmsn.

This is the 2nd attempt at keeping a Regal Angel. I've acquired this one on 8 Jan, the last one left at the LFS out of 8 that came in. There were some white marks on the tail and one worm-like wound on the left gill at the 6 o'clock portion.

What put her in the bag was her attempt to get some food pallets thrown in... she chased other fishes away for them... I figured thats a good enough signal. The LFS discounted her off the normal price, being the last and also for her wound markings (i'm guessing here).

I'm happy to say now, the wound has completely healed off and theres not a visible scar on her. Its taken just more than two months for that to come off. The white marks on the tail, gone after 1 week. It was the gill-wound that was of concern (a bit of it can be seen on the 2nd pic, taken 1 month back)... The only comfort I gotten was her increasingly healthy appetite.

The long story... the initial days, hiding in the back rock works, disinterested in any food. Subsequently, the zoos I got for the earlier Regal, started disappearing... and they started to colour up nicely since. The attempt at food started gradually with strays drifting in her direction. About a week after, at the usual feeding session, she would show around... only to hide immediately after being torpedoed attacked by the Maroon Clown. The clown was being overly protective, she cared for the missing zoos and was particularly aggressive towards the Regal as the days went. The aggression was to a point that one had to go.

Then there's a same size, 8th month in the tank, Purple Tang, whose immediate aggression was enough to dislodge some scales off the Regal... this didn't continue for after 1 week or so. The aggression was on the opposite scale, where tang's began to decrease, the clown's increases.

The appetite started to improve quickly, after the clown was removed (to a 2 ft, bb tank, she's queen there). Today, she takes to everything with gusto, the first to surface for food. An amazing angelfish, beautiful, intelligent, graceful and gracious to environment that surrounds her.

If there anything I'd like to leave, it is to give due consideration to the existing fishes and their 'interplay'. Some observation time is needed after the fish is introduced,... looking back at passing of the first Regal, I'm quite sure the both the Tang and the Clown, had their fair go at her to keep her at bay -- back, centre of tank, and presumed it was ALL due to disease and its shy nature.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/66739Front_cntr.jpg http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/66739Regal_PTang.jpg

[secrest]

^ bump

gotta keep this thread alive.

BTW, the owner of my LFS said that my Regal Angel came from Vanuatu. Does anyone know where this is located and if my regal would be considered indian ocean or red sea. The only info i could find said that is was in oceana (sp?). My geography skills suck so any help would be great.

[nctangman]

Secrest,

This should help you:

http://encarta.msn.com/map_701517354/Vanuatu.html

BTW..That is a beautiful looking fish...I am very jealous.

Kirk

[proenca]

first of all : hello lads!

well, been following this post quite a while, since I loved the Regal but wanted to buy one that meet the following requirements : red sea import, feeding at LFS, captive care for a while.

yesterday I got a confirmatino, a LFS while I do all my shopping agreed to sell their premium Regal that has been with them for two years to me . so happy! going to pick it up in a weekm so I'll post updates :D

hope I wont harm the poor and gorgeous fish and in return that he wont touch my corals ( mainly soft, xenias, magnifica anemone, cladelia, sinularias, zooanthus, and two euphylias )

[MrMongoose]

Why not, Everyone else is doing it :D
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/524/648451_26_05_002.jpg

[proenca]

eheheh Mr Mongoose, lovely picture and fish :D got a xanthurum too, hope I get a such nice display as yours in a week :D

[Project Reef]

I am going to attempt to pair mine up if I can find a very small (2-3") juvi. Red Sea regal. If I can find 2 or 3 babies (1-2") I might consider add them all simultaneously to see if I can get a harem going. The hunt is on!

[cali_reef]

Ali,

You will have them in a reef? Can you find me a few too:)?

[Tarasco1]

Is there any way to get this thread stickied to the top? There are always people looking for info on this fish, and this is a great thread for providing some.

[secrest]

I agree this thread has helped me alot in finding the information i needed to feel comfortable about keeping this great fish.

[HOZERTHEBONEFISH]

I waited and I found the right fish.

This little girl is my pride and joy. Had her for a month. After not eating for 2 days, slowly she became bolder.

Now, she loves OSI spirula flakes, cyclopeeze flakes and frozen mysis. Eating from my hands for the most part. I am hoping to hook her up someday!!


http://images.snapfish.com/343484%3A%3B23232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E2323%3D887%3D%3A%3B5%3D32328879%3C4%3A38nu0mrj

http://images.snapfish.com/343484%3A%3B23232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E2323%3D887%3D%3A%3A%3C%3D32328879%3B%3B34%3Cnu0mrj

[nctangman]

Hozer,

Is this fish in your 90g tank? If so, what other fish do you have in this tank?

I have a 90g myself that has a Purple Tang, Foxface and Maroon clownfish. I was hestitant that a 90g might not be big enough for a Regal.

Any thoughts?

Thanks
Kirk

[malegolf]

That's borderline??????? For sure wouldn't add anything else??????? Nice looking though, congratulations for finding a nice one..... Enjoy

[HOZERTHEBONEFISH]

NC tangman-I have her in the 90. I have percula clown, pseudochromis and sailfin tang(baby at 2inches). I used to have c argi and pair of black saddle backs but they have been moved to another tank. The reason was they ate faster than the regal initially. I guess for your situation, it would depend on how big your purple tang and maroon is.

My regal is a juvi at most 4 inches. I fully realize that all of the above fish at maximum will outgrow my 90. I am currently planning a much larger(400 plus gallon) That will house all of my fish even if they grow to their max.

http://images.snapfish.com/3434868%3B23232%7Ffp58%3Dot%3E2343%3D83%3B%3D8%3A6%3DXROQDF%3E23237975%3A%3A969ot1lsi

[HOZERTHEBONEFISH]

And another thing. Check out sept 04 TOTM. That regal was in a heavily stocked 65 gallon. So I think you can do it

[MrMongoose]

I talked with Rob Copps before adding mine to my 65G. They key is to have minimal to no stress on the fish, and keeping them in a near natural envorment. Ofcourse there are exceptions to the rule, mine is about 4.5 inches I wouldn't want to go any bigger than that in a smaller tank. I also have plans for a 120 upgrade that I'm going to make, when 1. Regal gets too big or 2. Corals outgrow the tank whichever happends first.

[Rao]

I post a question about this fish and mrmoogose send me here, (thank`s btw). Maybe i`m wrong but reading here i gess is more important to obtain a healty eating Regal than the experience of the keeper, i see many normal reefs here keeping healty regals, and the regals that don`t eat for the first many days mostly dye regarding of the keeper experience, just don`t eat. I think the experience needed here is making a good enviroment for the fish and to choose the good regal from the lfs. For now choosing a "good one" is imposible to me so i`m gone to keep my hands of this fish FOR NOW. I think we (better you my english is terrible)must keep this post alive to continue sharing experiences, maybe in a near future this fish will be a usualñ succes in aquariums.

[maxxII]

Rao, good points, and a good post. You're english is certainly better than my spanish...:D

Nick

[PITSTOP]

Question for all:

I have a 120 display, 40 breeder sump, 15 fuge; fish - yellow tang, Kole yellow-eye tang, blue tang, copperband butterfly, 6-line wrasse, 2 sebae clowns, citron goby (8 fish); 150 lbs live rock, SPS, clams, rose anemone (big).

I have been watching a Red Sea Regal Angel at my LFS for a week, the owner said it was eating frozen this morning, but by the time I went to see it at 5:30 pm, it was not interested. The store owner agreed to hold it for me until this Sunday, he also said he would feed the tank Thurs and Fri, no food at all on Sat., then feed when I come in on Sunday.

Soooo...if it is feeding on frozen in the store tank on Sunday, and given my system info I provided above, what do you folks think, should I take the plundge? Do I really need to fish out the Yellow Tang?

[HOZERTHEBONEFISH]

Pitstop

You cannot expect a regal angel to beat most other fish (esp the tangs) for food if he is not eating well now. Relatively high likelyhood that it will starve to death in your tank even if he took some frozen food at the LFS.

My recommendation is if the regal looks healthy and eating,(fat belly, perfect fins no dzs)is do what I did. I removed all of my hyper "piggy" fishes(dwarf angel, yellow tang, blue damsel, some clownfishes) initially before the regal was put in. Only recently did I put in a sailfin tang and some clowns back in.

It took a long time (2 days) before my regal ate anything (live brine). Took a week for frozen mysis, and another week for flakes. This is a regal that ate frozen very well at the LFS but 2 hr drive and being put in a new tank stress the heck out of it. Only reason is that it is alive and thriving is there were no other fish that could outcompete it for food or harass it which for this sensitive fish is certain death.

It may sound painful but regal angels are worth all the trouble.

[malegolf]

I agree especially if the Tangs are bigger than the Regal, the Regal will not fight for the food. I have a Tang that's the same size that I added a couple months later..... My Regal will eat three or four times a day if I would feed him that much.

[brahm]

Here is my regal... Healthy, Eating great... Only problem is.. MMM MMM LOVES TO EAT MY SPS.. Besides that it will basically eat anything I throw in the tank, Spectrum Pellets, CE, Mysis, Brine, Aglie, whatever.. Sigh I woudln't mind if it "nipped" @ my sps, but it will pick a colonie and wipe it out..

Any chance of it growing out of this as it gets older? I've tried adding zoas for it to eat instead but.. it didn't take..

http://www.pbase.com/brahm/image/40795277.jpg

[HOZERTHEBONEFISH]

Brahms

How big is your regal? Looks like a relatively small juvi with the big sharp false eye on the back.

BTW, did your regal start out as a pig or did it start shy and then end up eating everything? You got me worried a little.

[dvmsn]

I would be EXTREMELY wary of a claim that a fish was eating this morning but is not now interested.

[brahm]

Originally posted by HOZERTHEBONEFISH
Brahms

How big is your regal? Looks like a relatively small juvi with the big sharp false eye on the back.

BTW, did your regal start out as a pig or did it start shy and then end up eating everything? You got me worried a little.

It's between 2.5 to 3" Yea it just cruises around and picks @ stuff. If it finds something it likes it just keeps going back and picking and picking until it's all gone. It's ate threw 3 acros @ this point. (trap is on the way)... and yet it still has a very HARDY appetite.. I have a school of anthias so I feed my tank 2-3 times a day. It NEVER turns down food. I was hoping if I fed more "other food" it would leave the corals alone but nope. It also eats Lps (which was expected) but it won't touch zoas, clove polyps, or my clams.

[HOZERTHEBONEFISH]

Some updated photos...and also have to keep this thread alive.

She is less shy and sensitive. Begs for food. Havent touched my coral/clams. I just got some lps couple weeks ago (acan lord frags) and is ignoring it so far..I'm psyched.

Hope all your regals are thriving too.

http://images.snapfish.com/343638%3B923232%7Ffp4%3Enu%3D3252%3E74%3A%3E7%3B5%3EWSNRCG%3D32328%3B77875%3A9n

http://images.snapfish.com/343638%3B923232%7Ffp46%3Dot%3E2343%3D83%3B%3D8%3A6%3DXROQDF%3E23237%3C6879%3A73ot1lsi

[HOZERTHEBONEFISH]

I dont know why that pic didnt come up. Here it is.http://images.snapfish.com/343638%3B923232%7Ffp4%3Enu%3D3252%3E74%3A%3E7%3B5%3EWSNRCG%3D32328%3B77875%3A9nu0mrj

[PITSTOP]

Super sweet Regal...it looks just past juvenile, am I correct?

[HOZERTHEBONEFISH]

Pitstop

Thanks for the compliment. I agree that it is transitioning into adult colors/size.

btw did you end up getting the regal?

[Project Reef]

Here are updated pics I took of Brian swimming around last night :) ..(My photography sucks, as his colors are even more vibrant in person, especially the nice red markings on his anal fin)..

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/8980brainpic2.JPG

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/8980brianpic1.JPG

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/8980brianpic3.JPG

[moonpod]

Hey Ali, that juvi regal is looking good. SDC had a whole bunch of just tiny bluefaces today. Makes me wonder about trying to make a pair....

I was looking for a small juvi regal too, but the only had adults, but they looked good.

[BlkWolfe]

I might as well join in. Would have earlier but im a little paranoid something will happen to her as soon as i show her off...

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/33699Regal_reduced.JPG

Got her about 3 weeks ago. Appeared healthy and was eating eagerly at the store. Brought her home and straight into the 150. Was moderatly bullied by an established purple tang but they settled into each other after a day.

She's taken to eating flake, nori, mysis, and ON angel formula.

Over the last 10 days she's had a small line of about a half dozen rough spots form on the very leading edge of her dorsal fin. Only thing i could relate it to seemed to be Lymphocytis. So ive been soaking all the mysis and angel formula in garlic/selcon, as well as upping the water change schedule until my skimmer comes online.

Her eating hasnt been affected so far, and the growths seem to have slowed. Hopefully it will pass.

Thanks

[JDS]

I've had my Regal Angel for about a week and a half .It started to eat after the first day. Now it eat's just about everything I put in the tank. I think the place that I got him from had him for a while. Just because he seems quite belligerent even towards me.

[Matt Sable]

Just for added info, in the archives at AdvancedAquarist.com, Gregory Schiemer tells of his accounts with his Regals. Someone on this thread asked what was the minimum tank size for a full-grown Regal; Scott W. Michael stated,in an article, that a juvenile Regal can fit in a 55g, but you need a 75g for an adult Regal. By the way, I'll soon be getting a Red Sea Regal for 180g deep-reef tank that I'm planning . Good Luck with your Regals everybody!!!!

[curthendrix]

Does anyone have any experience/advice for pairing up two regals?

[HOZERTHEBONEFISH]

Curt

FragGuy has set up tank with pair of spawning regals. I emailed him a couple of months ago and he replied quickly and was very helpful.

He gave me pointers on sexing the fish. (size of the spine on lower gill plate). If you look at mine it is relatively short. Mine is likely female. If you look at Copps regal, the spine is quite long... therefore male.

He told me to set up a big tank(smallest is 90) and get them together.

Go to page 7 on this thread and you will find a link to his video.

Hope this helps.

[curthendrix]

Thank you. I would like to have a spawning pair as the center-piece fish of my 500g. I find mated fish more interesting to observe the individuals. I'll check out thread and video.

[HOZERTHEBONEFISH]

Just wanted to show off and update my angel. Def losing the juvi false eye. She continues to grow get fat and happy. I am feeding mostly spectrum pellets.

http://images.snapfish.com/3438584323232%7Ffp4%3Enu%3D3252%3E74%3A%3E7%3B5%3EWSNRCG%3D323293%3C9%3A558%3Cnu0mrj http://images.snapfish.com/3438584323232%7Ffp46%3Dot%3E2343%3D83%3B%3D8%3A6%3DXROQDF%3E232384%3B%3A97862ot1lsi
http://images.snapfish.com/3438584323232%7Ffp45%3Dot%3E2343%3D83%3B%3D8%3A6%3DXROQDF%3E232384%3B%3A97%3A%3B2ot1lsi http://images.snapfish.com/3438584323232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E2343%3D83%3B%3D8%3A6%3DXROQDF%3E232384%3B%3A98677ot1lsi

[saltman1]

I have had a very successful up and running fish only system with no live rock. How do you feel my chances are of a Regal doing well in our tank?? We feed all our fish a wide variety diet but no live rock to graze on....

[HOZERTHEBONEFISH]

This is just my hunch. No data to prove it. But I think that there are certain sensitive reef fishes that do better in a reef system or at least FOWLR. Regal I believe, is one of them. Mine does graze and pick off stuff from LR, esp in the beginning when it didnt eat anything that I gave her.

Looking at your avatar, looks like you got some fish that is going to outrace the regal out for food(hippo tang butterfly etc).

So I would suggest no...

[ledford1]

I've had my Red Sea Regal for 5 days now. I stumbled across her at the lfs. She was fat, had no blemishes, great color, and was eating at the store - the best Regal I've ever seen. My wife and I figured this would be our best bet if we wanted to try a Regal.

I did have to separate my Naso Tang. About the second and third day, after no prior aggression, started being very defensive come feeding time.

So far, I've only seen her eat brine and a few flakes. When I feed flakes, she's very particular about which one's she'll eat.

I've been trying mysis, krill, Marine Cuisine, Emerald Entree, dried plankton, bloodworms, and sheets of nori - but no luck yet. I'll soon try the oysters and squid as I have read other doing.

When you mention feeding things like Formula One, how are you feeding it, in a clip or by hand, for example?

[brahm]

get Spectrum mine went CRAAAAZY for it.

[Aquaduck]

Try some red or brown Seaweed Selects nori. My Indo Regal goes nuts for it. If yours doesn't just keep trying.

[ledford1]

Thanks, I appreciate eveyone's help.

This is a great thread. I read somewhere in these 14 pages a suggestion to mark this thread at the top of the page. There's a strong argument for that.

[michelo]

I have the royal(real) angel 2 days ago ... the first day was very nice but now this hidden behind of a rock and it(he,she) does not go out at all, it(he,she) is some 5cm ... that I can do???????

[HOZERTHEBONEFISH]

Michelo

I am assuming that you have a regal.

Is there a fish that is harrassing it? If so, remove it. If not, I would try live brine to stimulate it to eat. Its ok for it to hide for the first few days.

[HOZERTHEBONEFISH]

Michelo

I am assuming that you have a regal.

Is there a fish that is harrassing it? If so, remove it. If not, I would try live brine to stimulate it to eat. Its ok for it to hide for the first few days.

[d34532]

Hi all,

I jumped into the bandwagon and finally found the Regal(redsea) I wanted. This is the 3rd day but it started to go after flakes on day 2. I did feed my tank on day one so that my other fish didn't go into a feeding crazy and scary her/him. Its the biggest fish in the tank and open swimmer on day one.

[Rook]

Hello all,

I too just purchased the infamous Regal Angel. I got a 3" Red Sea Regal from a local hobbiest who had the Regal for about 7 months. I just picked it up on Saturday. I acclimated him over about three hours in a five gallon bucket with a powerhead and heater and them placed it directly into the display tank. Right now he is the only fish in the reef tank. I have the other fish in a QT tank and plan to keep them there for at least a week to give the Regal time to adjust.

Since placing the Regal in the tank he has been swimming around and checking out his new home, but of course he is pretty shy when he sees me, and he quickly hides. I think I provided a few too many hidding places for him though, ;)

I did not try to feed the first day, but I did try once on Sunday and again this morning to feed Spectrum pelets, which is what he was eating before. So far I have not seen him eat, mainly because he hides when I am around. However, from a distance I have seen him picking at things in the water column, and picking at the liverock, so I hope he is finding something to eat. Fortunately I have a lot of sponge and other "stuff" growing on the darker sides of my liverock for him to nip at.

I plan to buy some live brine shrimp from the lfs and try that, and also prepare a mix of frozen foods, garlic, Selcon and Spectrum. This time I am going to turn the pumps off and attempt to sneek the food in without him seeing me. Hopefully this will work.

[MrMongoose]

Sounds like a smooth transition. Don't get too worried if he doesn't eat right away and if all else fails Oyster on the 1/2 shell will get him munching away.

[nctangman]

I am getting a 125g tank this week. I am considering getting a Regal angel, however with the tank comes a Pinktail trigger fish around 8 inches long. It has alot of personality and has not bother any inverterbrates including starfish and shrimp. My question is this:

Is a PT Trigger compatible with a Regal Angel or is this gonna be a problem??

NCTangman (Kirk)

[moonpod]

Uh, I would be very, very leary. the PT Trigger isn't necessarily on par with say a clown or undulate trigger, but it doesn't take all that much to spook a Regal when first acclimating.

[Rook]

Good news. I believe the Regal ate today. I turned off the return pump and added some food to the tank and left it for a minute. I then army crawled behind the couch to sit and watch. Low and behold the Regal came out of its layer, darted forward to some food flowing by and ripped it out of the water column. At least I am pretty sure he ate it, hard to tell from twenty feet away.

I fed him a mix of frozen foods, mysis, enriched brine, squid and frozen formula 2 with Selcon added. I forgot the garlic, but added it for tomorrow. I also put a half sheet of nori in for him to nibble at.

So far he has been swimming around pretty calmly and ripping at some liverock. He also made a home in a long cavern I inadvertantly made on the side of the tank. Good hiding spot but I cannot see back there at all.

[DJPB]

WOW! There are some awesome regals in this thread!!! Glad to read that so many people have researched and shared info on Regals. When this thread was started, there were no dedicated threads on Regals, and now this is on the 14th page!! It makes me happy knowing that some have asked if their conditions would favor a Regal before taking the risk.

Here's a recent photo of my regal - Reggie (Miller)
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/524/28576regal_3-3-05_web.jpg

[d34532]

DJPB,

Glad you started this thread and nice looking Regal there. Im waiting for mine to settle in before I get around and taking pictures. Again I saw mine eat more and sample mysis shrimp not sure if it was eatten or split back out. In some ways I like that they command a high price since it does limit some people from buying them and not how to take care of them. I still wish there are more information about them tho because I got some misinformation like "yes, its a hardly angel" "they are easy to take care of" etc. Mine is in a 120gal with LR but still making it into a reef. My Regal is the biggest in the tank along with blue hippo, flame angel, hawk, yellow coris wrasse, and snowflake eel.

Man do I like my Regal hehehe open swimmer already and knows that Im the food provider.

[Rook]

Glad to hear your Regal is still going strong DJPB, and that you started this thread. I hope my Regal will get over its shyness pretty quick and start swimming more in the open. If he does not by the end of the week I was considering adding my other fish, which are very open swimmers to try and entice the Regal out into the open.

You state that your Regal started eating the first feeding, yet it was several days before he would stay out when you approched the tank. How did you feed him then? Just feed and leave and hope he ate?

[Aquaduck]

In time your Regal will lose it's shyness. Mine has learned that the funny looking guy staring at him through the glass is the guy with the food. My Regal will eat right from my fingers. It will attack the veggie clip with Nori as soon as it touches the water. :cool:

[Rook]

I suspect he will. He came from a large cube tank viewible from three sides with several good sized tangs, and he used to swim in the open and eat everything offered. It'll just take a little time.


Also: when you guys feed formula 1 and 2 do you feed the pellets, or the frozen cubes? Is one better than the other?

[MrMongoose]

Yeah I feed mine right out of my hands....sometimes a fork HAHAHA.

[d34532]

Rook,

Is your Regal in a very busy place of your house? I still can't believe how sweet these fish are lol. The bravest of all my fish for the amount of time its been in my tank. As today marks its 3rd full day its been in the tank and it comes to front when I'm in the room and before the light even goes on. I think the reason why mine is already out is that its the biggest in the tank and that my "shy" fishes are also out there swimming in the open too. I would add open swimmer as I found that in my tank that with more fish the more comfort they are around them.

[DJPB]

Originally posted by Rook
-snip-
You state that your Regal started eating the first feeding, yet it was several days before he would stay out when you approched the tank. How did you feed him then? Just feed and leave and hope he ate?
After feeding the tank, I just back up and sit down on a chair or the sofa. I have the most skiddish yellow tang ever. She has been with me for over 3 years and she is still scary of anything moving near the tank. She will swim freely in the open all day, but if anyone gets within 5 feet of the tank she darts to her cave in the rocks. So to ensure that she (yellow tang) eats, I have to feed the tank quitely and then get out of her view. If I miss a feeding, then she gets a little bold and will swim in front of me, but usually she just stares at me from her cave, waiting for me to leave. It's hillarious actually.

Reggie is quite the opposite, thank goodness.

[DJPB]

Originally posted by Aquaduck
In time your Regal will lose it's shyness. Mine has learned that the funny looking guy staring at him through the glass is the guy with the food. My Regal will eat right from my fingers. It will attack the veggie clip with Nori as soon as it touches the water. :cool:
Same here!

[DJPB]

Originally posted by Rook
Also: when you guys feed formula 1 and 2 do you feed the pellets, or the frozen cubes? Is one better than the other?
I dont know if one is better than the other, but when I feed formula 1 or 2 I use the frozen. When feeding pellets, which my Regal freakin' loves!!!, I feed spectrum pellets...

[Rook]

Originally posted by d34532
Rook,

Is your Regal in a very busy place of your house? I still can't believe how sweet these fish are lol. The bravest of all my fish for the amount of time its been in my tank. As today marks its 3rd full day its been in the tank and it comes to front when I'm in the room and before the light even goes on. I think the reason why mine is already out is that its the biggest in the tank and that my "shy" fishes are also out there swimming in the open too. I would add open swimmer as I found that in my tank that with more fish the more comfort they are around them.

Its not really in a busy place. Its just me and my wife and neither of us are home most of the day. The tank is not in a walkway, in fact you have to walk around the couch to get to the tank. If by the weekend if does not start to come out into the open, at least to eat, then I will add the two clowns and the blenny. They are all very bold and come right to the front of the tank when they see me, hopefully for food ;) My maroon clowns will eat out of my hand :)

[d34532]

Rook,

That is cool. I think mine is only flakes right now but starting to train my whole tank to take mysis and other meaty food. Kinda funny that my regal is a picky flake eater it has to be the right size and I think the right color.

Anyone know the link to the homemake food mix? I remember seeing it but can't find it now.

Also for those that feed their regal clam on the half shell. How long do you guys leave the clam in the tank? Is there anything to the clam like slice it up but leaving it intact?

[Rook]

The coral forum has a sticky on making your own food. Also check out www.frags4less.com Not that he can ship you food, but I like the ingrediants. Right now I just use several frozen foods, garlic and selcon, but eventually I will get into the full blown home food deal.

I think my Regal ate squid, but it was hard to tell from hiding behind the couch:) I am leary feeding clam unless I have too. I don't want the Regal to get a taste for clams and go after my good clams in the tank. However, I believe people were feeding it right on the half shell, not cut up.

[d34532]

Rook,

Thanks, My tank is in my room so all the fish knows me and are fairly ok with my and my regal is learning from them. Tonight I'm going to try mysis and flake mix again saw my regal take a taste of mysis but not eat it. Im thinking oh making my own home food so that I can make right stuff have them enough at any one given time. Right now my fishes only eat mostly flake except for my eel, which eats raw shrimp.

[pecan2phat]

Don't be too concerned. My Regal didn't outwardly eat for almost 2 weeks. As long as he has good body weight to begin with and no pinched areas, they will go for a while before malnutrition takes hold.

I'll tell you though, after seeing my Regal ignore food for 10 + days, I thought he was a goner. If he was placed in a non-reef tank, he would have starved.
He also didn't start to become the zoossasin that he is until about 3 weeks later.

[Rook]

Some good news. I feed some food to the Regal using a turkey baster and holding it at the entrance of his little cave. After a few minutes he would dart in and grab a piece of food. He did this a couple of time. So, he is definately hungry and eating. Now if I can just get him to swim in the open and eat in the open. I tried to put more nori in the tank. Hopefully he will take to it.

The Regal will have been in the tank all alone for one week on Saturday (tomorrow). I am thinking of placing the other three fish (two maroon clowns and a canary blenny) back into the tank tomorrow in an attempt to get the Regal to swim more in the open and to eat in the open.

Do you think this is a good idea?

The possible downside is that the clowns could eat all the food and discourage the Regal from swimming in the open or eating.

Also, for those of you who's Regals eat zoas, are they also eating the palys?

[MrMongoose]

My Regal did not touch my sunpolips in my tank....unfortunately. Also Unfortunately he did like to munch on my derasa clam haha. I think adding a few other fish wouldn't be a bad idea at this point, it might help him get over his shyness.

[Rook]

Thanks. I think I will give it a go. As I said, these maroons are uncharacteristically calm and friendly. Heck, the other night the two maroons were all snuggled in a scolymia coral with the canary blenny trying to get some shut eye. The female and the blenny were even laying right on top of each other.

[d34532]

Rook,

I would give it a try and add more fish. Mine is now comming to the surface to grab the food and is swimming in the open most of the time. I believe its the other fish around the regal and that he/she is the biggest in the tank. Good luck with yours.

[DukeNSC]

I read somewhere back in the thread that someone almost purchased a Regal from The Marine Center. I think the guy actually got one from a LFS. I was wondering if anyone actually got thier Regal from TMC. I have read several articles that speak highly of these guys. I was wondering if anyone has delt with these guys and what kind of service you got. The Regal that I had picked out at a LFS died this week, while it was being held for me. So I am now trying to locate a really good source.

[HOZERTHEBONEFISH]

DukeNSC

My recent experience with TMC is somewhat weak(earlier this year)

I tried them first. They would not return my multiple voice mails or emails. If you do some RC searches, you will find quite a few complaints about them too...

I would suggest justrarefish, foster+smith or phishybusiness...

Good luck

[nctangman]

Hozerthebonefish,

Have you dealt with justrarefish? If so, what was your experience. I am considering a purchase from them in the next 2-3 months for an angelfish.

Thanks
Kirk

[Rook]

I added the other fish. The clowns have taken to hosting a scolymia coral and really are not swimming out in the open too much. The canary blenny on the other hand is checking out everything. The Regal is starting to come out more and more, and I believe it is because of the other fish. I think he is trying to establish that the cave is HIS cave. He even chased the canary blenny out of there. I just hope the blenny does not retaliate.

He is definately eating now. He eats right from the turkey baster and anything that flows by. He will try venture to far to chase food though, but I am sure he will soon.

[Kim G in Ks]

DukeNSC - I was in the market for a red sea regal and imperator and decided to order from The Marine Center. I tried for 4 weeks to get them to send them both at the same time in the same order but they claimed they never had them available at the same time, even though their website said that they were both available. I got so frustrated at them that I removed myself from their mailing list, vowing to never order anything from them, their customer service just wasn't up to my expectations. I did some research on this and other boards and heard good things about Brian at Vividaquariums.com, I checked their site and both fish were available so I gave Brian a call. Talk about customer service- he asked what day I wanted them shipped and that the ones he had available had not been quarantined long enough. And he was willing to put them in the same tank to see if any problems arose before shipping them to me. He shipped them on the day that I had requested and both arrived in perfect condition, the Imperator ate immediately and the Regal ate on the third day. They have both been in my tank for a little over 2 months and I couldn't be happier with my purchase. All of my future purchases of hard to find fish will be from Brian at Vivid Aquariums. Customer service and availability- something I could not get at The Marine Center.

HTH

Kim

[HOZERTHEBONEFISH]

NC tangman

I actually did not order mine from justrarefish. I read good things about them on RC. I got mine thru phishy... Columbus OH is 1.5 hrs drive from cincy and I picked her up. That store is awesome. The owner knows his stuff and gets in nice regals on a semi regular basis.

Rook

Im glad your regal is doing better. I think the addition of those fish are fine for now but in a year or two, you will likely have some problems with those cute little clowns. Those maroons are supposed to be one of the meanest clowns(up there with tomatoes and black saddles). At least clowns are relatively easy to catch...

Kim

You did better than me... at least you talked to someone at TMC!!!

[DukeNSC]

I have a friend that owns a store. I think that it probably be best if I just get him to order one for me. It might take a little longer to get it but with this fish I don’t want to rush it too much. Which leads me to another question; I can usually be at the store when he gets his shipments in, would it be better to let him hold onto the fish for a few days or get it as soon as it arrives and bring it straight home to the tank. I know it’s a little risky doing it that way, but I feel like it would cut down on the stress of shipping even more. What do you guys think? One more question, I have a Majestic Angel in my tank now, it’s been there for about a week now and just now getting used to the place. I just got it to take prepared foods a couple days ago but its coming around pretty good, still very shy though. Has anyone kept a Regal with a Majestic? And what’s the likelihood of them getting along ok. The Majestic is about 3 ½ inches long. The Regal will be about the same 3 – 4 inches long.

[Rook]

HOZERTHEBONEFISH

Thanks, I've had this pair of maroons for several years. They used to be quite mean but they have toned down substantially and now are very very mild. I even caught the two sleeping with the canary blenny in a scolymia coral. The female maroon and the blenny were actually touching.

[HOZERTHEBONEFISH]

DukeNSC

If you are to let your friend with the store hold the fish, it would be under following conditions:

Be held for 2 weeks until eating at least frozen food eg mysis
Water condition for the regal be perfect(water quality where sps thrives)

Otherwise I agree with you that if the fish looks good(not cachectic diseased etc )just take it home.

Regal with a majestic. IMO choose one or the other... or at the least prepare to remove the majestice to a differnt tank. If you have to have both get a bigger regal. Regals are one of the most shy sensitive fish around. It will assuredly die if it is picked on esp when it hasnt settled in.

Rook

I guess some do mellow as they grow older!!

[DukeNSC]

My LFS Friend regularly keeps SPS in his system (Usually for me, LOL) His water Parameters are very close to that of my system. Normally the fish I get from him only need to be temp acclimated. Some of his fish holding tanks are 65gal so the Regal would have plenty of swimming room while there. However it might be better to leave it there to get it to eat. My tank is not a very active tank but I have a full grown SixLine, a Royal Gramma, and two True Percs, that are very excited eaters until they get thier fill. As for the Majestic, I was wondering if they will get along down the road. Right now I don't think the Majestic will be much of a threat because of its shyness. I also have a Powder Brown that is of about equal size. I think this guy will probably be of more concern than the Majestic. (I may have to remove the tang for a while). Any fish in my tank that gets to acting crazy or developes a mean streak usually gets banished to the refugium for a few days. If that doesn't help then I usually trade them in.

[nbd13]

is this going in yout 75?

with 2 large fish already i would not do the regal.

you already have a large angel and tang.

Nick

[Rook]

Nick, did you ever get a Regal?

[nctangman]

I'm in the process of setting up a 125g, I am considering a regal angel and possibly an Emperor or Scribbled angelfish.

Is this doable? If so, what order do I add these fish?
Both together; the emperor first, then the regal or the regal first, then the emperor??

Thanks
Kirk

[DukeNSC]

If there is any problems I can get rid of the Majestic and the Powder Brown. But as long as they all get along I will leave them together. As much as I like the Majestic and Brown I won't think twice about getting rid of either or both of them to get a Regal. When I first put the Majestic in the Brown harassed the Majestic for the first couple of days. Now they pretty much ignore one another.

[JDS]

Originally posted by Kim G in Ks
DukeNSC - I was in the market for a red sea regal and imperator and decided to order from The Marine Center. I tried for 4 weeks to get them to send them both at the same time in the same order but they claimed they never had them available at the same time, even though their website said that they were both available. I got so frustrated at them that I removed myself from their mailing list, vowing to never order anything from them, their customer service just wasn't up to my expectations. I did some research on this and other boards and heard good things about Brian at Vividaquariums.com, I checked their site and both fish were available so I gave Brian a call. Talk about customer service- he asked what day I wanted them shipped and that the ones he had available had not been quarantined long enough. And he was willing to put them in the same tank to see if any problems arose before shipping them to me. He shipped them on the day that I had requested and both arrived in perfect condition, the Imperator ate immediately and the Regal ate on the third day. They have both been in my tank for a little over 2 months and I couldn't be happier with my purchase. All of my future purchases of hard to find fish will be from Brian at Vivid Aquariums. Customer service and availability- something I could not get at The Marine Center.

HTH

Kim I also purchased my red sea regal from vividaquarium about two weeks ago. it is doing great, it will eat just about anything I throw in the tank.

[Kim G in Ks]

Kirk
I purchased my regal and imperator at the same time, at first the imperator was more dominant, now the regal rules the roost. They are pretty close in size. If I had to add them at different times I would add the regal first. My regal was real shy, I even had to take my purple tang out of the tank because he would go nuts at feeding time and the regal would refuse to come out , After 3 weeks I was able to put the purple tang back in. The regal now feeds as agressively as the tang.

HTH

Kim

[nctangman]

Kim,

This does help. You can disregard the PM I just sent you.
:)

Are these in a 125g?

Kirk

[ddr]

Can someone offer any advice, my regal has stopped eating. From being a pig on Saturday (3 Days ago) its now not really interested in food. It did peck at some clam flesh I put in there on a rock yesterday but didnt eat it.

It now wont touch any food that passes by it.

It had been eating well up until now.

Ive had it since 02/11 & its been fine until the other day.

[HOZERTHEBONEFISH]

ddr

what are your water parameters. Check everything including temp PH ammonia nitrate nitrite alk.

Check the fish for any lesions.

Put some live brine/or frozen mysis to stimulate it. Add some garlic too(supposed appetite stimulant.

Good luck and keep us posted

[ddr]

Well that was bizzare, Regal was eating again last night. I didnt feed the night before as I wasnt home, but fed last night & the regal was almost back to his piggie self.

Dan.

[nctangman]

ddr,

Maybe it had an upset stomach??
:)

Kirk

[Rook]

Another Update:

My Regal is now bold and agressively eating. He no longer hides when I walk up to the tank. He even attacks the turkey baster when I feed, eats like a pig and has even gotten a bit agressive with food competition between the other fish.

The Regal is also swimming around in the open of the tank all day. The next goal is to get him eating nori.

[nbd13]

Rook- how is he with your corals? any SPS in there?

thanks!

Nick

[Rook]

I have a mix of sps and lps corals, clams, gsp and some brown polyps (palythoas). Thus far I have not seen him nip at any thing and I have not seen any evidence of him doing so. I even have a scolymia coral which many people seem to find as a delicacy for Regals, but of course my maroon clowns are hosting in the scolymia so they may be protecting it.

Of course, yesterday both clams fell to the sand! Maybe he picked at them and knocked them down, or maybe it is conincidence!

[d34532]

Rook,

That is cool I think mine is like yours. I just recently added lps and sps and haven't seen any damage from my regal and I also have a flame which is also nice. The angels are spoiled babies as is with all my fish. I hope that everyones regal are doing great too.

[Rook]

Well more good news, and some bad news. The good news is that my Regal started eating nori and now is on a good balanced diet. The bad news is he also started to pick at my scolymia coral, or at least I think he did. I had to remove it in an attempt to save it. Hopefully he does not start eating much else. I was hopeing the maroon clowns which were hosting in the scolymia would protect the coral from the Regal, but alast my maroons are too docile.

[saltman1]

Question for all the RA owners out there? I have heard much negative comment on trying to own one of these beauties in a non reef non LR fish only tank...A friend of mine just found a beautiful Red Sea speciman and added it into his community tank. After a week he is eating Formula 1/2 and Brine/Cocktail shrimp nicley. Still a bit squirmish when it comes to feeding time as it's very competitive but he is starting to get in there and hold his own. He did manage to get a nice fat healthy one however...so what are hi schances to survival.

[copps]

This has nothing to do with whether or not it is a reef tank or fish only tank and everything to do with the environment of the system... whether or not it contains corals. Regals could care less if the environment they are provided with is alive or not. This comes from the fact that generally reef tanks are kept to much stricter standards when it comes to water quality with less fish and less competition. Fish only systems tend to have higher nitrates and other nutrients, and have more fish generally resulting in more harrassment/competition from tankmates. Theoretically, there is no reason why these guys should not be kept in fish only systems...

[copps]

In addition, reef tanks will provide more of a food source in the time period where regals are adapting to prepared foods...

[MrMongoose]

The issue of regals needing to be in reefs is more concerning water quality...in general water quality in reeftanks needs to be better than FO tanks. Lots of fish only tanks are at the maximum with fish load both in a waste manner and territorial manner. Regals needing both prestine water quality and a low stress level usually will not do well in a FO tank, however it certinally can be done if you have adiquite husbandry and friendly tankmates.
-Nathan

[MrMongoose]

Ahhh copps beat me to it!

[d34532]

saltman1,

My tank is just starting out to be stock with coral. So my regal was in a fish only with LR. If your friend picked up a nice fat health Regal than the odd is a lot better remember to keep up with feeding. You can ask your friend if your regal swim in the open in the morning or any time when no other fish is swimming in the open yet. I found that this was a great time to feed the regal each day as there wasn't thing in my tank to compete with her. My Regal is pretty much the top fish in my tank.

[d34532]

Lol I need to learn to read better still early in the morning. I agree with both Copps and MrMongoose. If I were your friend I would do a lot of feeding and overfeed each time until the regal really settles in. Also do a lot of water changes because the increase in wasted food. This would be way I'll go at it in a fish only to make sure the Regal stay health and without knowing more information about tankmate, size of the tank system, and system setup.

[smaks]

I have been reading this thread through from the start, (I need to also put in a disclaimer that I am a newbie). Can I ask someone to describe to me what a 'clip' is. It was made with reference to a manner of feeding to replicate something more natural. the frist reference was made by BEPE in January 2004.

thanks.

[MrMongoose]

a clip is just a plastic...well clip that you can place in the tank or on the the side of the glass. It is used because in the ocean fish are use to picking thier food off of a stationary object like rocks. So when they are first put into a tank its hard to get them to eat by dumping food in the water because they don't reconize this stuff in the water colum as food.

[fishgeeksrus]

We just purchased a regal angel yesterday at a LFS. He was specially ordered for us. It did pick at red nori a little while in his tank. I brought the fish home yesterday and acclimated him. We decided to put him in the main tank instead of a Q-tank. He just kind of hid in the rocks yesterday. Everything seemed fine. Today, he doesn't want to swim. Kept sitting on his side. We then decided to move him to our refugium so we could monitor him. All of his fins have deteriorated and his mouth looks torn up. There is a little red on his tail fin. There is nothing in the refugium but pods and caulerpa. Any suggestions...????

[moonpod]

sounds like a bacterial infection.

[HOZERTHEBONEFISH]

sounds grim. Are the water paremeters OK? Is it in your sps system or the lps system?

Hope your regal pulls thru...

[fishgeeksrus]

We lost him. Sucks! What is the best medicine for a bacterial infection? <for future reference>

[fishgeeksrus]

Yep, tested everything before adding him. I even brought some water to the fish store. Everything tested fine 0 nitrates, 8.3 ph, etc. Our tank is primarily sps. I really didn't understand it.

[moonpod]

It's not your tank. They show up harboring the infections and stress allows it to overwhelm them.

[fishgeeksrus]

I am a little scared to try another one.

[HOZERTHEBONEFISH]

Fishgeeks

Sorry to hear the bad news.

I agree with moonpod that your fish probably wasnt in best shape to begin with. In retrospect it may have been better if you kept it at the lfs for couple of weeks until it ate well and acclimated to captivity...(it probably would of died in your lfs from what you are describing)

[nctangman]

Fishgeek,

Although I don't believe this would have help in your situation, I have had good luck with using Maracyn-II. It is used for broad bacterial coverage.

Obviously, this is to be used in a QT tank for a minimum of 5 days, longer for more severe symptoms.

Kirk

[d34532]

Fishgeek,

I agree that you probably didn't do anything wrong and that it was probably doomed from the start. If you decide to get another Regal Angel I would do the following. This is what factors I look for in my Regal.

1. Get the Red Sea Regal Angel
2. Look at the overall look of the animal (bright color, fat, Alert and aware)
3. Make sure it is eatting good and alert about its surrounding.
4. MAKE SURE ITS EATTING. (sorry I think this is a very important factor and to not be "yelling" with the CAPS. Its was a very important factor for the Regal I would try with.)

Its would be very cool if you found a Regal that wasn't as shy as most regal are but I lucked out on mine. It was alert and aware if where it was at the LFS.

I don't know if any experience this or not but by alert and aware I mean the other day I dropped a cube of Marine Angel (with sponge) My regel notice that I drop in food but didn't see where it went. I pointed to the cube that was behind a rock (out of its view) and the regal went there.

[fishgeeksrus]

Thanks for the info. I will definitely take the advice.

[d34532]

Fishgeek,

I would also like to say sorry for the lost. Even tho Ive only had my Regal for about 2 weeks now and I don't mean to say it like I'm being an expert and 2 weeks is by no means an expert. I also way many regal that I refuse to take up as I will not "save" any animal from a poor and careless LFS. I free this only support that certain shop with your own hard earned money. I do hope you decide to pick up a regal if you decide to. If you order one from your LFS make an agreement with that they would have to keep it for 2 or 3 weeks. If you have to pay in full then do it but only if they agree its their duty to take care of it for the length in time you agree with them. I would also visit that LFS and feed it as often as you can so that you can see that it does feed often and not feed for a few day so that when you came in it would eat.

Let me share my process at the different lfs in regal. Price is not and should be the factor unless its very overpriced
1st LFS.
They had the grey/blue chest not bright color (this color maybe normal from the loc it was collected from) body shape was ok but a bit on the thinner side. It did eat live brine shrimp very common diet with this lfs but it wasn't attacking the food. I also asked when they got it was just a few days ago.
Cost $49
2nd LFS
They have the RS Regal. They feed them pellet, live brine, and some other stuff. I know that they use copper in their fish tanks maybe common with all the LFS I go too. Their price is the highest I think it was and some of their stuff is way over priced some stuff its 150% to 200% or more then other good LFS. The copper I really heard bad thing so I decided no to even try and I also say many other sick fish that share the same water. They always have a few dead fish when I come in but they carry a LOT of live stock so this might be avg. to other shop.
3rd. Red Sea Regal. This is where I got mine and here is why. I went there to look around and saw that they had one. Im going to use the term "her/she" if check spike being short is female. Talked to the worker and asked if they would feed her (2 days before I picked her up). Then come in again and asked if they would feed it again that weekend when I pick her up. Both times that I was there I saw her eat and she ate the biggest piece of food so I know she ate good at less 2 times in 3 days. She was alert where she was and she would inspect and watch me when was near the tank. She looked like she wasn't stressed. She is fat, bright colored, good eater, alert and aware (a little shy but interested in the side of the glass). I also checked out all the other fish in the store and overall they looked very good. All the fish had "decent" tank 20-30gal for most of their 2 to 5 inch with only about maybe 5 fish per tank which I liked also vs. fish that was 2 inches fish in holding rack that was maybe 5x5x5 inches cube (2 or 3 fish per cube) at other shop sometimes used. So the shop truely care about their again and most of their stock. Price ($100 for a 4inch RS regal)was at the top of the going market but not overpriced, I feel this was at a great discount because they way they take care of they livestock and not overload their tank. They could have increase their livestock maybe 2 times what they have but why when you only want to sell the best.

I only went to 3 that I already know had the best livestock in my area.

[fishgeeksrus]

Nice perspective! Thank you,

The lfs is replacing the one that I lost. He has also suggested that he would quarantine the new one for at least 2-3 weeks. I am also ordering a palani tang. He want's to quarantine them together and to make sure that they both are healthy and eating before we move them. Sounds like we are on the right track.

<crossing fingers>

[dvmsn]

IMO Aggressive eaters are the only ones that should be purchased. Regardless of the species of fish, but especially in regals, this is the number one indicator of good health and adaptability. I have kept two regals now. The first one ate like a pig in the fish store and lived until the day my entire tank crashed due to a mechanical failure. The second sort of picked at the food. I watched it for several weeks. It developed a relatively more healthy appetite over time. It still was not a good feeder. I thought it was improving and would only get better in my tank. I took it home. It continued to improve for several weeks until it suddenly stopped eating completely. Unfortunately, I was forced to watch it slowly starve to death over the course of the next several weeks.

[nctangman]

So, should a RA only be purchased from a LFS?

Has anyone had any luck at all with getting a healthy RA from a online vendor (ie, LA, TMC, VividAquariums, etc...).

Just curious.

Thanks
Kirk

[dvmsn]

I would only buy one from a lfs, although theonline vendor, the marine center, seems to have the best reputation for fish. They are expensive.

[nctangman]

The MarineCenter claims to QT their fish for 2 wks AND guarantee that their fish is eating when it is shipped. I don't know if it is worth the $39 shipping charge to buy a fish (esp. a RA) from TMC or not.

[dvmsn]

The proof is in the pudding. A guarantee that it was eating when it was shipped doesn't count for much if theres no guarantee it will eat for you.

[brahm]

I know I know, this isn't a fs thread.. but I want to find a proper home for my guy and this thread will generate more intrest from the correct people so mods if you don't mind, don't freak out I need to find a new GOOD home for my Juivnelle Regal Angle, i've had him for 4 months, he is a GREAT eater, Spectrum, flake, Mysis, Angel Food, Red Algie, cycops, ect... BUT HE IS NOT SAFE WITH ANY CORALS!!! SPS, LPS, SOFITES. Doesn't matter HE WILL EAT THEM ALL. So if you have a large non-agressive FOWLR tank, and are looking for a VERY healthy beutifull and personable (he eats out of my hand) small regal (he's false eye is just now starting to fade a bit) please contant me.

[moonpod]

ever come down to the L.A. area brahm?

[LargeAngels]

brahm: I can give him/her a very good home if you can ship.

[d34532]

dvmsn,

I would have to say that I agree with you a lot. Only reason why I said Red Sea was that the grey/blue chest loc. are not hand net every time and their practice needs too improve. hehehe their are some loc. people there that is probably improving but we should try to really go with places that collect coral and fish with the less stress and damage to the reef. Of course that doesn't mean that everyone from the Yellow (Red Sea) does the best thing to collect coral or fish hehehe there is probably shady people that are only interested in the pocket book.

[secrest]

Hey guys, i just wanted to check in and see how everyones regals are doing?

[moonpod]

considering atkins for mine.

[secrest]

Originally posted by moonpod
considering atkins for mine.

lmao, i take it yours is eating well

[HOZERTHEBONEFISH]

Mine is eating well. Less shy. Still well behaved leaving sps and clams and red goni alone...so far.

[secrest]

Good to hear, mine is doing really well. Follows me around the tank. Hasnt bothered anything until one of the other fish took a nip at a clam, the regal decided to help out and finish it off

[d34532]

Mine is doing good and eatting pretty good and not too shy.

[ledford1]

I've had my RA for almost 2 months. She had beome an aggressive eater. That is until yesterday. She didn't eat at feeding time. She may have nibbled on something, but only a bite or two - nothing like she had been doing.

I did a small feeding at lunch today. She picked at it a time or two, but not really eating.

It seems in reading through experiences that her not eating for a couple of days may happen from time to time. Is that correct? I'm a bit concerned by this, but not worried just yet.

[secrest]

Yeah thats pretty normal for her to not eat for a couple days. You may want to check your water. Sometimes when a fish goes on a hunger strike it has something to do with the water quality

[onereefnotenuf]

I am in the process of setting up a 55 gal fowlr with a 40 long sump.I have always wanted a regal but my reef tank is too hectic for one to survive in. Just a couple questions, is a 55 big enough for an adult regal?
should i put any dither fish in the tank or let the regal have it to itself?
if you look up my posting history on this thread, you might find it a bit ironic that i am considering this fish, but it is hands down the most beautiful one i have seen. all of your successes have bouyed my confidence. thanks in advance for your responses.

[GSchiemer]

A 55 gallon is large enough for a juvenile regal angel. I keep one in a 40 gallon and use pajama cardinals as dither fish. I think it's a good idea. The regal bosses the cardinals around but never damages them.

Greg

[ledford1]

After 2 days of not eating, my RA was back to normal tonight. I fed a few large cubes (Marine Cuisine and Emeral Entree) tonight. She doesn't pick at the cubes as much as my Dogface Puffer and Naso. Instead, she usually picks at my fingers while I hold the cubes under the water's surface. She prefers to eat the small individual, floating pieces of food instead of attacking the whole frozen cube. Anyway, she seems back to normal, so I'm happy again.

[secrest]

Thats great to hear she's eating again ledford, hopefully she keeps it up for you

[mortenN]

Two pygoplites in a 75g SPS tank.
I have no problem with them, I only love them. The first one has been in the tank from September 2004 and the second from February 2005.


http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/69021IMG_2132_ny_web2.jpg

[d34532]

Morten,

Wow that is a very nice tank. looks like you better start planning for a larger tank with the PBT and the 2 regal in the 75gal.

[mortenN]

Yupp, I will have a bigger tank soon...lol:thumbsup:

[MrMongoose]

MortenN: You just got my wallpaper thats simply awesome. You'll be a rich man if you can get them to spawn and survive!

[secrest]

I though for sure i had lost mine about four days ago. I switched over to my new 120 and while the fish were acclimating in the rubbermaid tub. The heater broke and heated the water up to about 88.

So I ended up just putting all the fish in the new tank and hoping for the best. As soon as i put my regal in he went straight to the bottom and laid on his side. I was sure he was a gonner. Well about 10 minutes later I came back and he was swimming around happy as could be.

I didnt want to post this as soon as I saw him swimming (didnt want to jinx myself) but it looks like hes going to make it now.

[nctangman]

On a positive side, at 88 degrees you prolly killed most parasites (including Ich) that were on any fish.

:)

Kirk

[secrest]

Well hey I guess there is always a silver lining

[nctangman]

Agreed. I tried to take a positive approach to most things that happen in life.

[chrisdaphish]

you can kill parasites jsut by rasing hte temperature? how bad is it for fish if the temperture is traised that much and why does it kill the parasites..? ive always jsut kept mine at about 81 to 82, but just curious.

[secrest]

Yes higher temps can kill parasites on your fish. The problem is if you keep your fish in the temp too long it can do alot more harm than good. It's a very risky thing to do and thats why most people dont do it

[nctangman]

Raising the temperature in your tank to 85 degrees or higher for 5-7 days speeds up the life cycle and makes the tomites (a stage of Ich) are unable to reproduce.

I would not recommend this in your main display tank since higher temperatures means less oxygen in the water.

I unfortunately experienced this first hand 2 years ago. I had a butterfly that got marine velvet that spread like wildfire. Within 5-7 days, all my fish in my 90g tank were dead. Since there were no fish and corals in the tank, I raised the temp in the tank to 86 degrees for 5 days and also dropped the salanity to 1.018 (to make sure all parasites were killed). I slowly added fish to the tank and to this date, I am doing fine.

HTH
Kirk

[GSchiemer]

Just so everyone is clear, raising the temperature speeds up the life cycle of the parasite but DOES not kill it at any stage.

Greg

[secrest]

Really? Thats always good to know.

[d34532]

This is not meant as a flame just the last few post looks like its recommending raising temp as a "cure" germs (virus, dis, parasite). Im not saying anyone is recommanding but someone that doesn't know as much as we might may take it as a recommended "cure"

I wouldn't recommend raising temp as a cure and most people (cheap or careless will think "wow, cool, cheap cure") Some fish/invert doesn't take to warmer or cooler water then they have been use too. There as been some study animal fish and invert that are in area like the tidepool that get large swing is temp. when the researcher raise the temp a few degree it was sometimes killed a good % of them.
I really have to say that temp higher temp does kill parasite but can have long term effect to the fish that might not be be seen in the short term.

But how do you know it doesn't harm the fish in the long term?
would't FW drop for 20 to 30mins also kill parasite/germs. (I would't do this also some fish/invert might fine but some would be a 100% death)

[secrest]

Increasing the temp like that is definately not a route I would take. This all started more as a joke because my heater broke while transporting my fish. Hopefully no one takes this as a "cure" for parasites

[d34532]

Secrest,

I know it was more on the side of a joke but I also didn't want anyone that is read and learning to think that this was a fact. Some FW animal can deal with it more because the way FW body system are . Believe it or not some people think ich is normal on fish because some fish just it easy like tang =( or rub on sand and rock.

No harm no foul at less I hope. I just state it as more of a disclaimer.

[nellahtes]

how do you tell what ocean the angel comes from? my lfs has one and i dont know how to tell the difference. also would a 90 gallon reef be ok for him/her?

[moonpod]

a 90g reef is a gamble in a couple sense. It's on the smaller side, though not "crazy", and it's a reef--ie you add an angel at your corals risk.

In GENERAL, yellow chested regals are from the red sea and blue/gray chested are from the pacific. That being said, some yellow chested can come from Bali (like mine). As a generality, regardless, most success stories are with yellow chested regardless of place of origin.

[DukeNSC]

After reading and posting on this thread, I decided that I would give the Regal a shot. Afterall this is a Beautiful fish. With a tank full of SPS I know my water quality is up to par so I took the plung. I had two LFS trying to get me a decent Regal but with no luck. A couple of you guys suggested I try VividAquarium.com. I have order fish from other places before and I was very disappointed with the results usually ending in lost fish. I emailed Dave at Vivid and told him what I was looking for. About a week later he emailed me back and said he had one. I have never had this happen before but Dave agreed to keep the fish for a week to cut down on the shipping stress. I got this little guy Wednesday. After 1 1/2 hours drip acclimating I turned the little guy loose in the tank. As soon as he was free he started picking at the rocks. Not once have I seen it hide its always out in the open checking out everything.
Heres a pix of my new pride and joy..
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/88745Pict0007.jpg

A Great Thanks goes out to the Guys and Gals that hooked me up with VividAquarium.com:D

[secrest]

Great looking fish, congratulations on the find and good luck with it.

[nctangman]

DukeNSC,

Thanks for the testimonial. I too am debating on whether to get a RA from VividAquariums. When the time is ready, I think I may give them a try.

What size is your fish? From the pic it looks to be a medium? (3-4 inches? Is that correct?

thanks
Kirk

[HOZERTHEBONEFISH]

Congrats Duke NSC.

Hope all goes well. Keep us updated.

Henry

[DukeNSC]

This lil guy is about 3 - 3 1/2 long including tail.

Day 3: The Regal is still going great. I haven't seen it it eat yet, but it is still picking at the rocks. I'm going to try a food mix I use tomorrow.
Note* I have not seen it pick at any zoo's or my clams.

[nbd13]

Just to let you know,

it will take the new regal about 2-3 weeks before you know for sure if it is eating you corals.

they need to get settled in before they feel comfortable, then you will see if it is picking or not.

Nick

[HOZERTHEBONEFISH]

Duke

If your regal is not eating, let me suggest what I did.

I gave mine garlic and selcon soaked live brine for the first 3-4 days, gradually adding frozen mysis and cyclopeez for the next 3-4 days. Then I weaned off the live shrimp by 1 week mark.

Good luck

[DukeNSC]

Dave at VividAquarium said that it was eating Formula 2 at his place. I am going to try a mixture that I have used with good success later today.

I mix 1 cube of Mysis Shrimp, 1 cube of Angel Formula and I add a pinch of Nutra-Fin and a pinch of Spectra. I had my powder Brown and Majestic eating on a normal basis in 2 days with this. Now I can just throw in a pinch of Nutra-Fin or Spectra and save the frozen food for treats every couple of days...

[mortenN]

Try with frozen artemia, I start both of mine pygos with this.
Good luck.

[ddr]

Originally posted by DukeNSC
Day 3: The Regal is still going great. I haven't seen it it eat yet, but it is still picking at the rocks. I'm going to try a food mix I use tomorrow.
Note* I have not seen it pick at any zoo's or my clams. [/B]

Can I also give a suggestion, try pushing some of the food into a little rock & sitting it in the tank near the regals hideout, if its picking at rock it may ahve a pick at the food in the rock.

I got mine eating the 3rd day this way,, it now eats from my fingers.

[DukeNSC]

Tried my mix today. I seen the Regal take a few pellets of the Spectra. It would not even look at the Mysis shrimp. Lil guy still looks healthy and plump. Still picking at the rocks. I watched it try to get a Hermit Crab out of its shell today, also get a large amphipod out of a rock. It almost acted as if wasn't hungry when I fed. I have a pretty healthy tank so as long as I can see it eating stuff out of the tank I'm not too worried right now. Besides its only been in the tank for 4 days. If by the end of next week if its not eating pretty good I'll get some Formula 2.

[Rao]

Well i finaly got my regal, It was ther first one I see in a lfs here in Venezuela, it is a yelow chested Indo. I he eat brine in the store and i was importe direct fom indonesia so i got him for realy god price. Before the aclimatation i put it directly to the main tank, (bad idea) my purple tang, desjardini tang and even a volitans did not welcome the regal. I took the regal out of the main display and put it in the sump. The sump have a dsb some lr and some magroves, the regal looks fine in there tow minutes after the big battle in the display it was picking the substrate of the sump and the rocks in there, he don´t hide wen i come near, i put some brine today and he don´t eat at all wen the brine was floating, buy seams to pick it from the floor later. I also put some frozen food i made my self and he pick it not sure if he eat ir put at leas he sems to be interest in eat. Im planin how to catch the tangs and put them in a qt tank and the regal in the main, i think if the tangs are out for maybe one week they will be more tolerant with other fishes in the tank.

[d34532]

Rao,

Hope the regal will recover. The yellow chest are normally from the red sea area. The blue/grey chest is in the indo area. I know there is a little cross over here and there just forgot where they were. I do hope you did your research before you picked up the regal. I hope your tank is also large enough to house 2 tang, Regal angel, and lion fish. Personal I would have never gotten the regal for that tank with those tankmate at less I would have removed them well before hand. You may need to decide which of your fish(es) have to go if they can't get along.

[Rao]

My tank is a 150 gal mixed most sps and clams, i know the yelow chsted are normaly from red sea, but this store import direct from indonesia so he can´t be red sea, i have read that many yelow chested are not from red sea, but as far as i know the yelows are best choices for captive. Im sure the tangs will behave if they are remove fron the tank and add later the regal. For now im hapy looking at my regal pickin the rocks and the subtrate and not hiding.

[d34532]

Raul,

That is cool congrats and glad you did your research. Congrats on the Regal they are wonderful.

[moonpod]

yellow chest does not necessarily mean from Red Sea. Bali fish can have a yellow chest.

[DukeNSC]

Just an update on my new Regal.

The lil guy is still all over the tank, looking and picking at everything. Two days in a row I feed the Frozen and dry mix. Both days the Regal would pick at the dry pellets as it floated down. Today I fed just some NutraFin Marine Complete. The Regal was like one of the gang, it was chasing food all over the tank as it moved around by the current.
I an not worried at all now, the guys at VividAquarium.com really hooked me up with very nice fish.

[DukeNSC]

Good Greif... I should proof read a little more closely before I hit the Reply button... LOL... Sorry about that...

[d34532]

What is really important is that we get healthy regal that is best suited for our tanks. =)

moonpod,
Thanks for the comment about Bali Regal being Yellow chest.

[diverdan814]

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=116875

I am keeping this fish in a 170 gallon FO non-aggressive tank that is fed numerous small meals daily. She was shy for about a week, now swims all over the place. This is the only angel in the tank. Her tankmates include butterflies and anthias. She eats nori, zooplankton, prepared frozen, as well as cuckles, clams, shrimp, oysters, mussels from the fish store. Fresh seafood is frozen, then washed before putting in the tank. The tank itself is 9 months old and I have had the fish for three months now.
She had a mild case of ich. Tank was treated with coppersafe, all fish cleared up in 5 days, all look vibrant and ich free. Copper will dissipate (30 days total) I will then replace carbon.
I love this fish- clearly the most beautiful fish I have owned.red sea angel (http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=116875)

[HOZERTHEBONEFISH]

Nice fish Diverdan.

How big is it??

I agree with you. The color on a regal angel is simply amazing. Well worth the effort of keeping these incredible fish.

BTW I think yours is a male judging by the long spine from the gill plate...

[diverdan814]

Thanks H,
The fish is a good five inches.
I did not know about it being a male, thank you.
You are correct, I can just watch this guy for hours.

[zfunk007]

This is a GREAT thread. A wealth of information on the Regal Angel. I plan on getting one in the next few months. I can only hope my Moorish Idol thread turns out as good as this one :)

[DukeNSC]

One last post for the thread unless something drastic happens.

The day that got the Regal in the tank it was evident that I had to remove the Powder Brown that I had in there. The Majestic on the other hand seemed to mind its own business and leave the Regal alone. This Wednesday will be 3 weeks with the Regal. I must say that with all the threads and posts that I read I was very skeptical about getting a Regal due to the delicate nature of this fish. I know that I have only had the lil guy for less than a month but my view has dramatically changed. From day one the Regal never hid, even with constant pestering from the Brown. It constantly picked at the rock work and seemed to sample everything in the tank, I guess to check out the menu for later dinning. LOL. After only 2 days of attempted feedings it was very evident what the choice of food the Regal Preferred, NutraFin - Marine Complete. This lil guy has now come to the point of full throttle racing across the tank to get the food first; even pushing aside my Six-Line that by the way "Was" the ruler of the tank. The Majestic and Regal seem to stay out of each others way and its business as usual.

I had put the Brown in the Refugium for a time out so to speak so the Regal could get accustomed to the place. This morning I thought I would try to see if they all could get along. Nope. As soon as the Brown hit the water it was all over the Regal, it was though it had never left. It even returned to its previous hiding spot it like and guarded it like a tiger. The Majestic that had been minding its own business was now acting like a dog in the pack. The Brown would tag the Regal sending it racing to the other side of the tank right into the Majestic that seemed highly agitated now and would send the lil Regal back to the other side for another round.

Funny thing was the whole time the Brown was in the Refugium the Majestic and Regal seemed to get along fine. The minute the Brown started the aggressive nature the Majestic turned aggressive as well. And even stranger when I removed the Brown for the last time all was well like nothing ever happened between the Regal and Majestic. I'm not sure if it was because the Brown was the bigger of the lot or what? But none the less the Powder Brown will be leaving soon.

On a side note I have not seen the Regal mess with any of my Clams, it seems to only nip at the SPS. As far as Polyps I have not seen it touch a one or any of the Xenia that plagues my tank (God I wish it would eat it all). The two corals that I have seen it pick at on a regular basis are the Mushrooms and one Colony of Millepora. Other than that all is well.

For anyone thinking of getting this beautiful fish, please choose your stock wisely, and be prepared to take drastic measures just in case you have to remove a once favorite fish. The Regal I have I noticed at times it can be timid and shy but soon it was like one of the gang. Try any and everyway possible to get it to eat but don't be discouraged if it doesn’t eat right a way. Make sure you and your tank are up to par as to handle the responsibility and husbandry of this gorgeous fish. I wish you the best of luck in your venture and may you be as lucky as I to get such a healthy specimen.

[nbd13]

I hope you are going to transfer to a bigger tank with those 2 large angels....

they can both get nig and will quicly out grow your tank...

i would think a 180 would be a great size for 2 angels...

Nick

[RobReefer]

Im hoping that maybe some one could tell me how much and how often to feed him. I just got him to start eating to day, and i dont whant to feed him too much, or to often. He's eating Ocean Nutrition's Formula 2. He's about 3"-4". Any Ideas?http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/524/96440Angel1.JPG

[SuperNerd]

Sorry to butt in...but I just had to comment on how funny DJPBs avatar is. :lol:

[Rook]

Quick update and a quick question:

The Regal is still going strong. Getting pretty agressive as dinner time and is becoming a pig, although the female maroon clown still outeats him. He still has not really taken to nori yet. I have not seen him nipping at any other corals other than the scolymia that I moved to the sump.

Question: I want to add a tang to the tank (I know, I know). I have research tangs for a long time as I have wanted a tang for years. But, with the regal angel being a sensitive and non-agressive fish I want to make sure to get a non-agressive tang. Can someone tell me with tangs would be considered as less agressive and thus good tank mates for a regal angel?

My wife wants a regal tang.

[diverdan814]

Regals TANGS can grow to be bullies. The mellowest tangs I have owned have been Kole and believe it or not, a naso. It really is true that each fish is different. I had a Sailfin that was a nasty fish. Tangs are very cool fish, I can understand why wife wants one. I think they are among the more difficult of the saltwater fishes to keep. Lateral Line disease has affected a number that I have owned, despite taking all precautions.

I would think twice about it though, or at least be prepared to take one fish out. I personlly would not keep a tang in a tank under 6 feet of length, but that is just me.

Tangs also are notorious for ich, so proper QT is needed. In any event, be certain the tang is smaller than your Regal angelfish.
Good luck.

[pecan2phat]

I agree that Naso tangs are quite passive but can get rather large if given the room.

I have a Chevron tang in with my Regal angel and he is almost too passive and is a perfect citizen.

[SuperNerd]

pecan2phat:

What type of angel is that in your avatar? Is it reef safe?

[diverdan814]

I had a Cheveron Tang that was very peaceful also. Colorful friendly fish that ate algae too.

[RobReefer]

I had a Blonde naso. I had to get rid of him because he got to big.
But he never bothered any of my other fish. He acted like he was the only fish in the tank.

[mortenN]

I have a PBT and a Ctenochaetus cf striatus with my two Regal angels with no problems.

[Rao]

My Regal is ok he is eating flakes, picking nory (not eating realy i think just picking) i tried fozen food, live brine, pelets, nory, red algae. But he just like the flakes for now (and it´s a lot for me). I think let he in the sump for 3 - 4 weeks to let he get use to feed and to think wath to with the purple tang and the desjardinni. I have see many pictures were regal share tanck with tangsso i´m plannin to remove the tangs to the sump and the regal to the main for a time and hope tha they could tolerate each others, wath´s the probavility of this to work?? any other sugestions?.

[LargeAngels]

Rook: Some regals are actually pretty agressive once they have aclimated and established their territory. Mine bullies around a very fat, and larger than the regal, blueface angel. Naso's are pretty melow, but too small for a 90.

[Rook]

Originally posted by LargeAngels
Rook: Some regals are actually pretty agressive once they have aclimated and established their territory. Mine bullies around a very fat, and larger than the regal, blueface angel. Naso's are pretty melow, but too small for a 90.

Yeah, my Regal is getting pretty agressive, especially while eating. I thought the maroons would cause a problem, but it hasn't. I just don't want to add a Regal Tang or PBT and have it eventually bully the Regal Angel.

And yes, I will definately quaranteen the tang for a minimum of a month to ensure that no disease is present. It will likely be at least a month or longer before I actually get a tang, if I decide to.

[pecan2phat]

Originally posted by Andraska
pecan2phat:

What type of angel is that in your avatar? Is it reef safe?

That is a Paracentropyge Boyeli. (aka Peppermint dwarf angel) They are very rare and hardly ever collected for the trade. When they do surface, the price tag can be over $4k.
At that price, I wouldn't know if I'd be concerned if it was reef safe or not!
Only have seen them in books. I believe that they are a deep water species from the Cook Islands.

[SuperNerd]

Originally posted by pecan2phat
When they do surface, the price tag can be over $4k.


Holy mother of god...You're kidding, right?
Thanks for the info by the way. No more highjacking this thread for the..."glory of Andraska." :p

[Acroholic]

Deep Water species for sure..about 150-300 ft. That's why they have sold for 4-10k. Not for the hobby IMO.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/94655Paracentropyge_boylei.jpg
Paracentropyge Boyeli / Peppermint Angel

[HOZERTHEBONEFISH]

Rao

Did you try mysis? How about adding some garlic supplement(Kent) to entice yours to eat.

I would switch your regal with the tangs. Put the regal into the main system while the tangs wait(probably a while) in the sump. When the regal eats aggressively, then I would put the tangs one by one in the tank

Best of luck

Henry

[Rao]

HOZERTHEBONEFISH,

He don´t have mysis here, i have try frozen formula tow, a DIY frozen food, and brine (both live and death), for now i think he is getting use that i´m the guy with the food, he just come to the front of the sump wen i aproach and take the food almost from my hand, i feed he spectrum pelets today and he eated like a mad, i will feed he just spectrum and flakes (with garlic and selcom / vita chem) for now, and waith few days to if get more used to fed diferent stufs, i don´t want to polute the tank with food he well not eat, nex week maybe i put the frozen again and put no pellets or flakes to if he take the frozen. For now i´m very hapy with my regal and i think thath this post is for great help for every budy ho want to keep this beautys.

With the sex of my regal i have no point of compration but i think the spines in hes gils are short so he maybe her. I let you some pictures from her.


http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a292/raulsilva/DSC00024.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a292/raulsilva/DSC00016.jpg

and her future home

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a292/raulsilva/Acuariocentro.jpg


Thanks every body

[d34532]

Raul,

Nice looking Regal and tank.

[Steve Atkins]

A most interesting and useful thread.

Having just put one in my mostly SPS reef (1500L/400USG capacity), last Saturday morning, I have become an avid consumer of everything about Regal angels, even more so than before it actually arrived. Mine apparently comes from Indonesia. It has a yellow chest, appears to be a male and is 12cm long – basically a young adult.

It spent 3 weeks in quarantine, sharing a tank with yellow tangs and some damsels, before I got it, and was reportedly an enthusiastic consumer of pretty much everything it was offered. It certainly looks like it has been enjoying a good supply of food. One of those yellow tangs has also gone into my reef and I have seen the two hanging out together when they were still pretty shy and spent most of their time behind the rocks. They both started swimming freely round the tank some time yesterday (Thursday).

A large damsel and a purple tang have given them the most trouble but the damsel was not interested in pursuing them under the reef and the purple tang, which seemed most annoyed at the yellow tang, seems quite happy now. The damsel, which is the same size as the Regal, is now not interested in it and only chases the, smaller, yellow tang. Luckily, my very large blue tang (3 x the size of Regal) has carried on mostly ignoring all other fish, as per usual and as I had hoped it would.

Although this tank is only 2 months old, the reef and fish came from a similar sized tank I had been running for over 10 years. Since I expect the angel to spend quite a bit of time thinning out the sponge/whatever population under the reef I have not really bothered to try to feed it yet and it has been clearly quite happy picking round the rocks, something it started within an hour of arrival. Now that it is out and about I will see what I can interest it in on Saturday when I will have plenty of time to watch it through the day.

Unfortunately we cannot get the specialised frozen angel food here, due to agricultural/environmental import regulations, so I am going to have a go at mixing some local sponges into my own brew. I don’t have any zoanthids, as something else (unidentified) disposes of those, and it too early to tell what else it might eat that I don’t want it to.

Steve

[JDM130]

Here's a pic of mine. Mine must be the exception to the general rule of these fish. He is in a 360 gal. community tank with other large Angels and some Tangs. No one ever looked twice at this fish. He is always out and about picking on the LR. Mine eats anything I throw in to the tank, but he especially loves New Life Spectrum pelletts. Even though it is one of the smaller fish in my tank, he does bully my H. Tusk around when it comes to close.

Jeff


http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/10520skimmers_978.jpg

[HOZERTHEBONEFISH]

Picture update of my regal. Please everybody else join in!!

This is march
http://images.snapfish.com/3443548723232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E2323%3D887%3D%3A%3A%3C%3D32328879%3B%3B34%3Cnu0mrj


And few days ago.

http://images.snapfish.com/3443548723232%7Ffp3%3Enu%3D3232%3E936%3E554%3E2323936645%3B88ot1lsi

Check out the false eye dissappearing!! She grew at least half inch!!

[juice me man]

i really good thread and very informantive.

awesome regal everybody. i hope to get one in my new 250g reef when it up and running.

[dvmsn]

Episode III Revenge of the Regal

I purchased my third regal the Sunday before last. He was a heavy eater at the store. He had a small lymphocystis on his cheek and gill barb. Lymphocystis are rarely pose a direct threat to the health of the fish (secondary infections seem to be the biggest danger they generally cause), I decided that because he was so outgoing and eating so well I would take him home. Over the course of the week I noticed he was less aggressive when eating. On Saturday, he didn't come out all day. The next morning I found him floating in the tank. This is my third attempt with this fish. Number One: good eater from day one, lived for several months before dying in an equipment related death. Numbers One and Two: Both lost interest in food over time and eventually died. I can't stand watching these things slowly dying in my tank. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE do not ever order one of these fish into your lfs with the hopes of keeping it alive. Your chances of having one make it are terrible. Read this entire thread and take a body count. I know that healthy ones come in occasionally, I had one. IMO, the problem with keeping a regal is not husbandry, but the availability of healthy specimens.

[dvmsn]

Episode III Revenge of the Regal

I purchased my third regal the Sunday before last. He was a heavy eater at the store. He had a small lymphocystis on his cheek and gill barb. Lymphocystis are rarely pose a direct threat to the health of the fish (secondary infections seem to be the biggest danger they generally cause), I decided that because he was so outgoing and eating so well I would take him home. Over the course of the week I noticed he was less aggressive when eating. On Saturday, he didn't come out all day. The next morning I found him floating in the tank. This is my third attempt with this fish. Number One: good eater from day one, lived for several months before dying in an equipment related death. Numbers One and Two: Both lost interest in food over time and eventually died. I can't stand watching these things slowly dying in my tank. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE do not ever order one of these fish into your lfs with the hopes of keeping it alive. Your chances of having one make it are terrible. Read this entire thread and take a body count. I know that healthy ones come in occasionally, I had one. IMO, the problem with keeping a regal is not husbandry, but the availability of healthy specimens.

[GSchiemer]

dvmsn:

Did you quarantine these regal angelfish before introducing them to your display tank? The fact that your last fish was a "heavy eater" at your LFS and then "lost interest in food" in your aquarium indicates that it was suffering from either parasites or bacterial infection, which is common with newly introduced fish, especially regal angels. The existing fish may have built up an immunity to these issues but newly-introduced fish often succomb to them because they have weakened immune systems brought on by stress. The quarantine protocol allows the fish to settle in and adapt to aquarium fare. In addition, you have the opportunity to successfully treat bacterial or parasitic problems if they arise. If you didn't put the fish through a quaratine protocol, then you really can't claim they were "unhealthy specimens."