Regal Angel Primer

[DJPB]

The Regal Angelfish, Pygoplites diacanthus, is not the rarest or most expensive fish available. It is not the poster fish of the hobby. It’s not even that popular of a fish here on RC. But the Regal Angel is the fish that sparked my interest 2 years ago, and the reason I got into the hobby. Ever since, I feel that I have been gaining experience so that one day I may try to successfully keep this beautiful fish in my own tank. After hours and hours of research on Regals, that day is here.

I have been searching for a healthy, fat, and eating Regal since March ’04. Knowing the delicacy of this fish I couldnt see ordering blindly through an online vendor. That left me to LFS, and in Indy there are two that I shop at. (There is a third LFS that often gets regals in, but they are always poor specimens – thin, fading colors, not eating anything.) One of the two LFS recently got a few Indian Ocean regals in, and as soon as I saw them I knew which one I wanted. My fish was eating everything at the LFS from the day they got it. It was fat with bright colors. I left it in the LFS for 2 weeks, to reduce stress and so that they could QT it. They performed several freshwater dips on it, and kept the sg low at 1.019. I visited them every day to feed it and just stare at it, trying to imagine what I would look like in my tank.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/524/28576regal_1_web.jpg
This past weekend I brought it home and slowly acclimated it in my 120g. I couldn’t believe that the next morning it was already swimming in the open with my other fish. My Yellow Tang showed a little aggression towards him, but that only lasted a few hours. I was careful to choose a regal that was larger than any of my other fish, so that aggression would be minimal. I was shocked when my Regal ate prepared food at the first feeding. A week later, the Regal is the pig of the tank. I couldn’t be happier at this point.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/524/28576regal_3_web.jpg

I want to start a thread dedicated to regals, so that we can share photos, experiences and information on Regals. I know how delicate this fish is, and I'm looking for tips and advise from other Regal owners on what has worked for them. Hopefully future reefers will learn from our successes and our mistakes, making the husbandry of this delicate fish a little easier.

I would also like to explore the different locations Regals are found, and the colorations associated with those locations. My Regal is from the Indian Ocean, and has a yellow/grayish chest.

Prepared foods that my Regal eats –
Angel Formula
Formula 1
Formula 2
Frozen Mysis Shrimp (Gamma)
Frozen Brine (Super Shrimp)
Frozen Prime Reef
Julian Sprung Purple Veggies
Sprectrum Pellets

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/524/28576regal_2_web.jpg

[oreocookie713]

Can i have it?

[DJPB]

Originally posted by oreocookie713
Can i have it?
LOL :D
As long as it took me to find this one, NO WAY!

[moonpod]

I have had 2 regals. Both yellow chested. My first was from TMC and "Red Sea". Arrived in good shape. Putatively QT'd and eating at TMC. Actually starting eating pretty quickly. I personally don't QT. I think that a healthy tank is a better place for a freaked out fish to acclimate than a QT. I know the arguements, but I just don't do it. Anyways, that fish died VERY mysteriously. Just found it on it's side without a mark on it in the tank. Didn't starve (frankly it was fat). Just Dead as a doornail. Just an FYI, this was a "too small" tank. A 55 gal FOWLR/easy reef (shrooms, polyps etc..)

Second one I got straight from one of the wholesalers in LA. It was apparently practically Just off the Jet. It also had a yellow chest, but was NOT red sea. Bali or something, I forget. This one was skittish in the begining. It was placed in a 180 gall reef, not particularly mature, but Tons 'o pods and "stuff" for them fish to graze on. I pretty much feed the tank macroalgaes, cyclopseeze and mysis. That's it. The Regal has never really been interested in the cyclopseeze. But it started eating the macro almost right away. After a couple of weeks it started on the mysis and has never looked back. This fish has been with me now for coming up on a year.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/14778BLV20k.jpg

Of note I don't have anything to "freak out" the fish. My other fish ignored it. I've got plenty of rock. And uh, zoos....my regal is a zooanthid assasin. Otherwise, leaves corals alone and hasn't bothered clams either.

[DJPB]

Moonpod -
How long did it take for your Regal to start on your zoos? Does your Regal prefer larger polyps or smaller polyps, or all polyps? I have hundreds of zoos, although I wouldnt mind if my Regal grazed on them - especially the ones growing close to sps. That is a beautiful regal btw.

[DJPB]

Also I'm surprised that your purple tang did not harass your regal. Who was there first?

[moonpod]

Uhm, maybe day 2 the zoo massacre began. Purple tang just never seemed to care abou the regal. Maybe for a few minutes, but really, they just don't seem to notice each other. The regal beats on my orange spot rabbit regularly though....it's actually sort of an assertive fish.

[Atkins]

Ha! Great timing for this thread, I work in an LFS and have my eye on a regal right now...he feeds pretty well I should add. All being well he may come home with me tonight:)

[DJPB]

Nice, what ocean does he come from? If you bring him home please share you experiences with us, and photos. Good luck!

[bepe]

I too have a RS Regal that I've had for about 4 months. She's doing great and has never bothered any corals (knock wood).

At first she would not eat anything out of the water column. However, I found if I put food on clips around the tank she would eat. I gave her mostly JSprung red nori and a sponge based food (Angel Formula), both soaked in garlic. That was all she would eat for about a month and a half, but now she eats everything.

I think the food in the clip is more like their natural diet (sponges aren't generally floating in the water column) and was critical in getting her to eat. If I relied on her getting used to eating out of the water column I'm not sure she would have survived.

btw, the lfs swore she was eating. My son ran up to the tank as soon as we got to the store and spooked her so she wouldn't eat then, so I had to take their word for it. Worked out okay, but next time I'll make a second trip to be sure.

[Tyr-Sog]

Originally posted by moonpod
I personally don't QT. I think that a healthy tank is a better place for a freaked out fish to acclimate than a QT. I know the arguements, but I just don't do it.

I agree. I stopped using my QT.

[DJPB]

Originally posted by Tyr-Sog
I agree. I stopped using my QT.
Me too. Especially with a fish as delicate as a regal. I think it does best going into a reef asap. I do like to leave new fish in the LFS for at least 2 weeks though...

[Gary Majchrzak]

Has anyone noticed their Regal attack Xenia or any other corals?

[moonpod]

just my zoos......but curiously not the palys

[DJPB]

Nothing here yet, just some sponges off the LR

[bepe]

I was worried about the xenias, but mine hasn't touched them

[John Brancheau]

Glad to hear yours is well, beautiful animals, my opinion one of the nicest looking reef potential angels.

I too, have been wanting one for some time, even knowing how delicate they are, I have read many comments for authors begging not to purchase these, but like you guys, figured I had the experience necessary to give one a try. I had seen one at a lfs and decided to spend the 100.00 to get it, Red Sea variety, seen it eating at the store, live brine though, brought it home to my 180 reef and acclimated accordingly, all seemed to be fine, until my atlantic blue tang spotted it, nothing real drastic just some active tail wagging, that was Sunday, on Monday all seemed well, it did not eat though, tried many attempts, came to work on Tues am and it was dead.

As much as I would love to have another, I just cannot bring myself to possibly kill another of these beauties, hope yours do well and I wil be keeping a close watch on this thread.

John

[DJPB]

John,

I'm very sorry about your loss. That is terrible news to hear. Maybe the fish was sick, even if it was eating brine. How long did the store have him before you brought him home? Did you QT at home or put directly in reef?

These fish are so delicate, it seems that if you can get thru the first month you are home free. I'm nervous as hell about mine, not because he's sick or not eating, but because he's still acclimating. I've had him in my reef now for 9 days, and he still swims to his cave when I approach the tank. Other than that he is active. I just hope he makes it cuz I have grown attached to him...

[John Brancheau]

Thanks,


I am really more po'd at myself than anything, I did not qt it, which may or may not have made a difference, my thoughts are this, if it had adequate time to adjust to my water chemistry maybe it could have fended off the tangs advance. But, I also think that the stress of the qt is not good either.

The store had him for a week, so they say,but I have been recently told it is all about the care they get at the whloesalers, the local experts at Tropicorium tell me they can get me one almost guarantee it to live, but that they have had better sucess with those not from the Red Sea, who knows.

I may try again, time will tell, but best of luck with yours, it is not hard to get attached to these beautys.

John

[DJPB]

I agree that the stress of a QT is not good when dealing with Regals. Not that I'm an expert, it's just my opinion. I let mine stay in the store for 2 weeks, then put it directly in my reef.

Are your tangs significantly larger than your Regal was? Maybe that was a factor.

FWIW, my Regal is not Red Sea, it's Indian Ocean. It came plump and with an appetite. I also agree that the wholesaler's care is important, as well as the actual collector and original shipper...

Regards-

Paul

[moonpod]

John,
It may be that Tropicorium's Red Sea fish have to pass through too many waypoints before getting there, whereas their indopac don't. Personally I think the less "handling" the better with these. Got no secrets, batting .500, but the current one is coming up on a year and I've got no fears of it "suddenly" croaking. Healthy, active, eats, bullies other fish...you know standard Angel stuff.

Chuck

[adminrxb]

Got mine from a good friend, respected reefer and a reliable source a week ago. He had him for a long time before he had to move. After my several humble requests he considered my tank as his new home.
This is my first regal and I am scared to death. This is the only fish in the tank now. Regal swims around the favorite spot in the tank but not as agressive eater as other that I have had before like tangs and flame angel etc. Eating angel formula and mysis soaked in selcon at this time.
Does not swim in open yet and I am hoping that he will develop the trust soon. Sees mysis and gets it fast, then runs back to the rock work. Any ideas or suggestions to bring him out more?
I was thinking about adding a small and non agressive fish that swims in the middle and agressive eater to the tank. May be that will bring him out more but scared that it may cause some issue as well. Anyone ran in these issues before?

[DJPB]

Razi -

You are one lucky reefer! I know exactly which Regal you have and it sure is a score. I got my 120g from the same person, your fish actually used to live in my tank 2 years ago. Please put some pics up whenever you get a chance, I'd love to see that fish again.

I dont think it would do any harm to add another fish. You could actually add several. I would maybe wait another week though, just to let your Regal finish acclimating. As long as he's eating, you're alright. Remember the tank your Regal has been in for the past 8 months - it was a larger system in a very busy location with lots of movement and chaos going on. Your fish is just getting settled into his new, peaceful environment.
Best of luck Razi, and please - pics!

Paul

[dvmsn]

I purchased a regal about two weeks ago. He is definitely Indian Ocean. I made sure I saw him eat at the LFS before I purchased him. He was very shy when I first got him. Unfortunately, he has a small case of ick that wasn't evident at the LFS. He eats marine cuisine, spirulina enriched brine, omega enriched brine shrimp, and mysis. He doesn't have much interest in nori. He eats very well and is becoming more outgoing as time goes on. I've really got my fingers crossed about this one. He seems to behave very well in a reef tank. I have a mostly sps reef, with a clam, some lps, zoos and a green finger leather. He is definitely not a big picker. I am conflicted about whether I am being ethical by purchasing such a difficult fish. I feel most of the damage was done when he was taken from the ocean. I don't mean to sound elitist, but I feel that the marine industry is largely driven by terribly uninformed newbies. As long as these fish are legal, there will continue to be a market for them. I hate to see these animals go to a certain death.

[adminrxb]

Paul,
I will have to meet you sometime. You are correct about the previous environment and I am taking every precaution to make sure that I don't rush him into something. Added a pair of clowns today. Both regal and clowns have no interest in each other and I was pleased to see that.
I was surprised to see Regal all over the tank today when I got home from work. Today was the best I have seen him eating since I got him about 1 1/2 weeks ago. I fed him just about everything I had in stock and it took it faster than expected. I am so happy today . .. I just hope that nothing terrible happens and he continues to improve.

[DJPB]

Best of luck with him. It is a great fish and it sounds like he is getting comfortable now in his new home. You must post pics of him asap!

I understand that you shop at the Abyss. Maybe one day we can meet up there.

Paul

[Jerry W]

Interesting thread. I've always been intrigued by regals but have stayed away from them for all the typical reasons. I would urge you, however, not to measure success with these fish in months or even a year or two. Please check out my thread in the FO/Aggressive forum entitled "sad day." It certainly was a cold slap in the face to me.

[Gary Majchrzak]

Good point, Jerry. I was hoping to hear of more long term successes with the "Regal". {I was also hoping to hear they like to eat Xenia!}

[DJPB]

Jerry your post is extremely sad. I'm sorry to hear about your loss. Blue Face Angels are such beautiful fish. I agree with you that success in keeping any fish is measured in multiple years. I started this thread so that members could swap info and hopefully gain an advantage in keeping Regals. Maybe this will improve our chances of keeping this fish long term. But like you said, a fish can go at any time for no apparent reason.

Originally posted by Gary Majchrzak
{I was also hoping to hear they like to eat Xenia!} Gary I was hoping for the same thing with my Regal. So far he only has a small taste for GSP and the smaller zoos, which is good too...

[moonpod]

Gary, my orange spot rabbitfish picks at Xenia. Not a lawnmower, but certainly enough to "**** off" the Xenia.

[Mondavi]

Well I have had a few of them over the years and three things I have figured out.
1. Get them small. The ones that are 5+ inches seem to have a real hard time in captivity. Same with alot of angles that come out of the wild. Also make sure its eating something before you buy it.
2. Live Rock. So it can pick at the rock and feel more at home.
3. Third is risky for your main tank but I never QT such a sensitive fish. Most of our QT tanks are just barebones fish like Regals dont do well in them.
I have had one for around 2+ years ( R S) and the other for about 9months now (I O). Both are pigs and hold thier own in my angle tank.

[lacie143]

Originally posted by DJPB
Me too. Especially with a fish as delicate as a regal. I think it does best going into a reef asap. I do like to leave new fish in the LFS for at least 2 weeks though...


as do i
i have lost more fish to a QT than i ever did to ick or any other disease. The QT/Hospital tanks at my work are affectionatly refered to as death tanks by the employees

[copps]

Excellent thread. My Red Sea regal angel is the star of the show in my sps system. I looked for months at every specimen that came in to a local retailer/wholesaler that gets shipments direct, and saw many that refused to eat or showed interest without feeding much. I saw mine attacking Formula 1 right in front of me and took him home for just $85. I had moved all of my zoanthids to my other system in preparation, with just a few left behind on live rock here and there. Included besides sps in the system are clams (maxima, crocea, squamosa, derasa, and as of today gigas thanks to RM), many ricordia, and two fungias. I was a little unsure of the fungia as they are pretty meaty and tempting, but all was left alone. Interestingly, within hours of being in the tank he had picked clean every zoanthid in the tank, which was welcomed.

I have had him now for a few months and he is a spoiled pig. He shares the tank with among other things a group of about 10 yellow-lined cardinals (Apogon cyanosoma) who are like little tuna, so he gets fed right from the turkey baster large meaty foods and some preparations bound with gel. He gets noticably excited when I feed squid and really attacks the baster interestingly. He's not at all aggresive, unlike my cardinals who beat the **** out of each other sometimes, with one completely loosing an eye a few days ago... anyway seperate subject. Right now for the time being he's in my 65, but by December (if all goes right with the home builder) my 180 will go back up for him in the new house to grace until my big boy goes up in about 3 years (500 gallon range). I'd love to eventually get a pair breeding like this guy (http://www.minireef.esmartweb.com/loveinreef.htm) .

Here's a few pics of my baby... these are arguably the most beautiful fish in the ocean...

A side view looking down the tank with him...
<img src="http://images.fotopic.net/?id=5439845&outx=600&oq=0.jpg">

A closeup of him with one of my male cardinals with a mouth full of eggs...
<img src="http://images.fotopic.net/?id=5439846&outx=600&oq=0.jpg">

Lastly hom cruising the reef...
<img src="http://images.fotopic.net/?id=5439844&outx=600&oq=0.jpg">

[reeflover2]

I just got my first regal angel. It was a the LFS for 3 days before I brought him home. The LFS is not very disease free so I thought it would be better for the fish if I quarantined him. I made sure it would eat before I left though. I have had it since Sunday and is still doing well. He eats flake food, mysis shrimp, mega marine angel and dried seaweed. The only concern I have with it is a few white marks on his tail fin. There are no other marks on the fish and they have seemed to be just going away. Any suggestions? What temp do you keep your tank at? Is it true that they need a tank temp abovve 80? How long do you think I should keep him in quarantine? I have lots of live rock in the tank for hiding places.

[massman]

DJPB thats a beautiful regal you have congrats. as a side note it is interesting that your indian ocean variety has a coloration that is normally associated with pacific ocean specimens. yours as thet grey/blue chest whilst those of moonpod's and copps' have the yellow chest which is the "true" indian ocean/red sea colouration. nonetheless a beautiful fish.

[DJPB]

I was thinking the same thing the first time I saw him in the LFS. They told me it was an Indian Ocean specimen and I took their word for it. For all I know it could be a Pacific Regal. I'm just happy he is healthy and eating well...

[Tremelle]

If you like Regal Angels, you must pick up the new Angelfishes and Butterflyfishes by Scott Michael. It has the best info on the fish I have read. It also has the most awesome photos of the Regal, with color variants also. Amazon has it for $15.

[copps]

Great news... I am seeing it now for $30.57 on sale. Is the $15 maybe the amount you are saving you referred to? Thanks in advance and I'm ready to purchase this great book... I have the first volume which includes anthias, but is the second volume worth it? Either way I'm shooting for this volume first...

[copps]

Just thought I'd add two recent images taken by a local buddy when visiting my tank. You could see the regal fighting it out for some plankton from the turkey baster. Thanks Andrii for the pictures!

<img src="http://images1.fotopic.net/?iid=y3plys&outx=600&oq=0.jpg">

<img src="http://images1.fotopic.net/?iid=y3ply8&outx=600&oq=0.jpg">

[seabreeze]

I've been reading this forum, and I must admit that I am very surprised to hear that this particular fish as not disturbed any of your coral. On the other hand, how is it towards invertabrates/crustaceans?(this is one fish I would like to introduce to my tank!

[copps]

Speaking for myself, I have no hermit crabs, just snails in this particular tank. I also have a peppermint hogfish in this system, so no shrimp anyway for me.

It should be no surprise that regals don't bother sps corals. However, I would be surprised if somebody is able to keep zoanthids with theirs.

As with many things in this hobby mixing certain angels with certain "corals" is a risk, but if properly researched it's a CALCULATED risk. As I mentioned before, I removed all the zoanthids I could to another system before adding the regal after reading how they loved zoanthids. This was a good idea as all the remaining ones were quickly picked clean (with the exception of parazoanthus yellow polyps). All of my clams remain as happy as clams. :o :D

I'm curious, for those of you with regals, what have they eaten and what have they left alone?

For me...

Eaten: Zoanthids

Left alone: sps, all five species of T. clams, ricordia (yuma and florida), fungia, parazoanthus (yellow polyps)

[moonpod]

Massacred: zoos

Ignored: sps, parazoos, palys, clams, ricordia

[Baalz]

I just picked up this Regal the other day. So far its not eaten much. Munched on some nori I think. He is in a 40g grow out attached to a larger system. This tank is full of zoo frags, sps, lps, clam, some xenia etc. Its been only two or three days and he hasnt touched nothing yet.
He is sort of on probation to see what he eats before he goes into main system. I want him to eat zoos only. If not he is up for sale. Hard to tell by pick but he about 5" and blue chested
http://baalz.servebeer.com/regalangel.jpg

[mr294]

A few pictures of my regal which will have been with me for a year this August. He hasn't bothered anything except an open brain and the few zoanthids I had.

http://www.buddypants.reacura.com/images/angel.jpg

http://www.buddypants.reacura.com/images/regal1.jpg

http://www.buddypants.reacura.com/images/reef8.jpg

[dvmsn]

Here is a regal angel I got about two months ago. He is a very hardy eater. Unfortunately, he has taken an interest in my Caulastrea (Candy Cane) corals. So far he does not bother a closed brain, clam, green finger, zoos, torch, or various sps corals
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v366/dvmsn/Regal2.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v366/dvmsn/Regal1.jpg

[kungen]

I had mine for 2 days only. He was fairly big. He ate both frozen mysis and artemia right from the start.

After 2 days I couldn't find him anywhere in my tank... on day 3 my H.Magnifica anenome spit out alot of bones. I couldn't believe it, but somehow the anenome managed to swallow my Regal whole! :((

[tobasdad]

Anyone have one eating that they want to get rid of, look no further. Definitely want one, but my LFS never has them.

[copps]

tobasdad, I was very close to ordering mine from www.themarinecenter.com until finding a nice specimen eating well as described before at the local distributor. While that site is on the expensive side, they have a great reputation for sending only healthy eating regals. They either have them in stock or are not far away from receiving some too. This is the next best alternative aside from seeing one healthy and eating in person. I have also had excellent results ordering through liveaquaria.com, but they seldomly stock regals.

Hope that helps...

[moonpod]

tobasdad, go to house of fins in Greenwich, which I know is $$$, but if they have an eating Regal in....

[Jerry W]

The responses have all been from those keeping this fish in a reef setting. Is anyone keeping one in a FOWLR? I'm wondering what the drawbacks, if any, would be to this type of set up.

[adminrxb]

This fish has more success rate in a reef system. Mine has no interest in any sps, clams and ricordia. I do not have any zoos but am sure that it will be treat. Thinking about adding a small zoo rock to see if mine goes after it. Will post the results soon.

[danfishman]

I personally think that they only do better in a reef as they are usually 'better' managed and a lot cleaner. If you were to have a well run FOWLR I can't see why it wouldn't be just as successful.

I have had a Regal now for about three weeks. I started it off in a 55 gal with plenty of LR covered in Algaes, sponges etc as it came from my refugium. So far he eats open mussels (or I think you guys call them clams) with Gusto but nothing floating or off the shell. I have tried freezing Mysis, small silversides and marine green formulae in a mussel shell. It eats everything from the shell until it comes off about 1 minute later, which after that it doesn't touch it.
I'm hoping that once its in the main tank it will learn from other fishies. This is going to be a couple of weeks though as it had a mild case of ich.

Its going in a FOWLR so I will tell you how it goes Jerry W

[Treg]

Those are some Awsome looking angels guys.

Last night I come home from work to find my Majestic had died while I was gone. I fed the tank and she never come out from behind the rocks... Suprised, I looked back there to see her on her side, dead. Kind of like moonpods lost regal. Have had her for about 10 months, was a very fat and very active fish. The tank's boss. Even the night before she ate like a beast and was darting in and out of the rocks. There was not a mark on her body when I pulled her out. I am pretty upset about it.


I seen Tropicorium mentioned. That is where my Majestic come from. I like those people up there a lot. My pair of Perculas come from them too. Been over a year now and they are doing great. (Even laying eggs now.) I highly recommend their fish and I think a lot of others in the lower Michigan area do as well. If I decide to get another angel I'll be making the 2 hour trip back north.

I have also always really like the Regals and was just researching them tonight but I really like my Zoo's too... Dont think I want to risk it. :(


Treg

[Julio]

Treg, sorry to hear about yoru majestic, but it sounds as if it was a fish caught with Cyanide, this used to happen very often and it has happened to me in the past, fish are great and a few months down the line they are dead for no apparent reason. I did a lot of research as to why it happened and i got a lot of feedbag on cyanide being the main cause.

[goleafsgo]

man now i want one. how reef safe r they i have some prized zoos in my thank along with some prized acros and some lps

[Treg]

Julio

Thanks for the reply. I had no idea Cyanide could take that long!

I'm still hoping to get another one soon. Then next one will be bought from a different place.

[Julio]

just make sure the one you get is net caught usually those from Ausralia are almost guaranteed to be net caught, my LFS brings in babies on a regular basis, 2-3 inches.

[Treg]

Thanks for the advice.

[PorcupinesRule]

I have a Regal that I got from a lfs on the gulf coast in fl. on vacation. It was a steal at $59 and eating. It survived a 24 hr. trip home due to the repackaging by the nice folks at Tampa Bay Saltwater which we also stopped at. Anyhow, it relishes frozen clams and squid ( both plain and with garlic and selcon) and cyclop-eeze so far. It also eats julian sprung sea veggies from a clip. It does ignore the mysis I've offered.

So here's my question:Most (if not all) of the posts I've read have their regal's in reefs. Mine is currently in an 80g Fowlr. I've got the impression from the thread that some of these guys are real timid. Mine's got some potentially obnoxious roomates:

5in. volitans lion, 3.5 in. dragon wrasse, 3.5 narrow-lined puffer, and 3.5 in. neon/arabian dottyback. oh and a large coral banded shrimp).

It seems to be doing fine, I have'nt had it for that long though, around 3 weeks. It's not timid and comes to eat with the rest of the fish.

I want to know if you think it would possibly do better in: A) my 180g Fowlr (7.5 in porcupine puffer, 8 in. lunare wrasse, 4.5-5 in niger trigger, 5 .5 in bluethroat trigger, 6 in toadfish, 5 in. some sort of yellow lion (fuzzy dwarf maybe).We used to have a Koran in here who just died after 8 mos. or so, I would love to have another angel in here.
or my other option choice B: a 75g reef. If you think it's imperative that they be in reef environment I would be willing to move an inhabitant or 2 from that tank into another to accomodate the regal.
So please any opinions are greatly appreciated. I ordered the scott micheal angels and butterflys book from marine depot yesterday for $29.95. Sorry for the extra long post =)

[adminrxb]

Your 80G fowlr tank really does not have any species that chases the angel. Try making small pieces of mysis shrimp and not add any garlic or vitamin supplement. You want him to start taking mysis if all possible due to its absorbing capability of vitamins and garlic when needed.
I would not go for the 180G fowlr though its bigger in size. Have never kept a regal with triggers but these fish can be mean. Wait for some other advise from RC members on this one.
75G Reef is an option but why move so early. Angel is still trying to adjust in 80G as you have had him for 3 weeks only. Seems like he is eating well so I would let him there for another month if all possible unless you notice some agression by others towards the angel. I would have advised to put him in reef if angel was not already in the 80G. Reef tanks are usually better maintained in water quality and Live rock has more for them to pick on.

[moonpod]

once my regal got established, it pretty much picked up standard angel behavior--ie pretty obnoxious when it wanted to be.

[Tremelle]

goleafsgo

If you have some prized zoos, you should not introduce a Regal Angel. It will make quick work of zoos.

[PRINCE_NAMOR]

Would a Sohal Tang be too aggressive to house with a Regal Angel?

[Baalz]

maybe ..
my achilles is agressive to slow moving fish and tried to kill my first attempt at a Regal. My 2nd one was bigger then the achilles and the achilles hasn't bothered it at all

[kiffo]

how are the regals doing guys??? I'd like a lengthy commentary if you please!!

[moonpod]

I dunno the others, but mine is just fine. Don't exactly remember when I got it either, but it's been awhile now. Probably well over a year...

[piscies75]

hi just picked one up a steal at $70 Canadian, climated very slowly and turned off the lights for the night, Put a big tea cup in and it went right to it. going to quarantine him in my 35 gallon established tank for 30 days , only a tomato clown in with him. then hopefully on to 180 gallon reef, running my uv sterlizer. The store claimed they had no special food to feed it and had it over two weeks. I was really impressed with Sept tank of the month by John C. and a friend of mine who is wood duck carver but recently started doing bass and koi , helped me carve a Regal. The carving was done in one day over seven hours, I just have to paint it. I will certainly post it when I through, so far I am just blown away at how nice it is. The 180 established just over a year, presently large naso female, purple , yellow tank, two black clarkis. Three chromis, one large lawnmower and a psychodelic mandarin. I also have 3 large shrimps are these safe with Regals? I have five colonies of zoos, if it eats them I will move them , are zoos any nutricional benefit? What about black nori is it much different than the red? thanks so much.

[piscies75]

dead as a doorknob. don't be sorry, another case had to have it. on sale, Put it in the freeze, so when I paint my carving will have a reference. anybody know how to taxidermy?

[Baalz]

bummer..

[kiffo]

Thats a shame perhaps putting it straight into the 180 would've been better??

[Bugger]

Does anybody know what kinds of sponges reagal's eat in the wild. any pics

[Pianoplayer]

Hi all:
my regal experience is that it's really hard to keep in FOT,but for RT, I think it's better as she loves eating the 'lifes' on the live rock. But it's possible for her to bit the coral, be careful!:D
In Hong Kong, the regal sells at only 10 to15 US dollars, but for the golden regal sells at 25-30 US. I love her so much due to her beatuful apperence with yellow bar lines. I am only 17, a student in HK, but I love fishes so much. My longest record of keeping regal is only 2 months, don't know why she always get some strange diease...... So sad of her leaving me.:( I will try to keep still as I love her and not expensive in HK:D I think US,Canada cost very expensive, am I right? so I am so lucky that can perchase them with low price:p I hope one day I could keep her for al least 6 months.

[Pianoplayer]

How come JPEG can't be posted?

[reefyguy]

Well I just added my regal. It looks like he is very active in the tank. However, it hasnt eaten yet. I have tried mysis and brine shrimp flake food and it comes out during feeding but does not touch it....I will try angel formula and nori tonight....Im on day 3 of this fish not eating.

[Baalz]

try nori or dulce. Thats all mine will eat.

[piscies75]

re: only last a few hours. that was in my 35 gallon but this tank has suffered serious neglect since my 180 going. Just emailed MArine Central. they will not ship to Canada but said sometimes Regals will eat clams in the shell. I have located another one but the fish is just nipping at food, they say this is good. Also they only recommend straight into a reef tank. DOes anyone know if the zoos they may eat are good for them?

[Tremelle]

Yes, eating zoos are good for them. The problem is when that is all they will eat. Feeding zoos to a Regal would get expensive pretty quick.

[gofor100]

I am tagging along on this one...Regal's are beautiful fish

[reefyguy]

WELL...MINE STILL ISNT EATING..GOING INTO DAY 4
TRIED NORI AND BRINE SHRIMP...I MAY BE #$#$#4E3

[piscies75]

The Regal Angelfish, Pygoplites diacanthus


BobFenner@WetWebMedia.com
In the Red Sea and Redang, Malaysia


Of the many species of marine angelfishes offered to the hobby, some groups are sure winners. Most "dwarf angels (e.g. the genera Centropyge and Genicanthus) readily accept aquarium conditions, eagerly eat all types of prepared foods, exhibit good disease resistance and stay reasonably small and non-aggressive. The same can be said for many of the larger Pacific and Atlantic angels. Except for getting too large for undersized systems various Pomacanthus (e.g. French, Gray, Emperor, Koran), Holacanthus (e.g. king or Passer's, Queen, Blue), Apolemichthys (e.g. A. xanthurus, the Indian Yellow-Tailed Angel) are generally quite hardy and easy to keep in captive conditions as long as provided with sufficient tank space, food, and water quality.

The Regal Angel, Pygoplites diacanthus, is our notable exception. It is indeed unfortunate that such a beauty rarely accepts food in captivity. In this article I'll gladly offer you insights as to what has "worked" with this angel and other members of the family.

The Group: Family Pomacanthidae

There are about eighty five described species of marine angels, in nine recognized genera; Pygoplites being monotypic, that is having only the one species, P. diacanthus. At any moment some twenty or so angels are offered in the ornamental trade with twice that number available annually. The present subject, the regal is, in my opinion, too often found; sold to the unwary aquarist by less-than-knowledgeable dealers.

Pomacanthids are found worldwide in tropical seas in shallow to six-hundred foot depths. They are closely related to butterflyfishes from which pomacanthids can be separated on the basis of possessing a prominent cheek spine (-acanthus) which butterflies lack.

Pygoplites diacanthus (Boddaert 1772), the Regal Angelfish. Indo-Pacific; Red Sea, East Africa to the Tuamotus, north to southern Japan. To ten inches in length. Note the gray chest area of this Fijian specimen. The more desirable, hardier Indian Ocean and Red Sea ones have an orange chest area. Below, tiny 2 and 3 cm. specimens photographed in captivity by Hiroyuki Tanaka.



Habitat:

Regal angels are found ranging widely over rich coral areas, ducking in and out of crevices. These sheltering caverns are always places of good circulation.

Water quality. I acknowledge Hemdal with pointing out that angels be introduced to established systems only. They do not weather nitrogen cycling changes well. Wait till the aquarium has been set up a good three to four months before introducing angels. Gunther Dawal in Prof. Ladiges Aquarium Digest International piece credits strong water circulation and frequent water changes with his success with Pygoplites.

Tank size should be at least four feet in length, sixty-plus gallons for even a small regal. They attain a length of about a foot in captivity, two in the wild.

Foods/Feeding:

An important factor in failure and success in keeping angels. I recommend at least once daily an offering of a meaty food; chopped fresh or frozen clam, crab, shrimp, squid... and some source of greenery. Marine algae are best; you can grow some of these, others can be purchased from the oriental section at your food store. Lettuce made mushy by freezing, spinach, husked peas are used by some. Some personal acquaintances that have had success keeping regals on more standard fare advise avoiding gelatin-based frozen foods. There are excellent preparations made without gelatin and these are much better for your angels. Check the labels for ingredients.

Live rock and dry-prepared foods are accepted often, but should not be considered staples. Live saltwater foods are unnecessary for marine angels and too easily introduce disease. Stick with frozen.

Refusing food for a few days should not overly concern you; however large angels do have hearty appetites. Feeding strikes cal for water changes, vitamin-based feeding stimulants and a switch-up in foods offered. A fresh opened shellfish often works wonders. Your specimens ought to have an overall plump appearance when in good condition. San Francisco Bay Brands are excellent.

Our most problematic area with regal angels is nutrition. Pygoplites feeds almost exclusively on tunicates (sea squirts) and sponges in the wild. Allen and Steene (1979) give this species their most difficult species rating for the amount of care required.

taken from : http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/fishes/angels/pygoplites/

[reefyguy]

thanks..good to know that a few days on non-eating can be normal...i am not a praying man but I have said a few

[Pianoplayer]

better to isolate it alone to train it for taking food, after 2 weeks if she still don't eat, then:(

[Pianoplayer]

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/505/68671____.JPG



here is the one living with me now

[madmac]

I have been looking for such a fish since I saw the Reefkeeping's September TOTM. I fell in love with it and have been trying to acquire one since. (-- John Copps, those are very nice pics and what a sight to behold!)

Finally, I chance upon one last Saturday...saw it fed dried prawns... the fish was covered with white fluffy fungus and it had a 2mm hole on the right cheek and also 3mm hole with fungus, left side of body somewhere in the centre. The fins was covered with fungus and the end tail was half rotted off... the bottom tail, just under the end tail was also half gone.

The eyes are bright and the fish seem alert. Her gills were also breathing quite steadily.

I released her after a 5 min dip in fresh tap water, pH treated. She didn't take long to find a place of refuge. On Sunday, Day 1 after I have acquired her, all the fluffy fungus is visibly gone from the body and the tail... what is left are the holes on the cheek and the body and some scares...

Day5, because of my day job, I'm unable to look out for the fish during the day... she does not come out until I've left, and most times after I return, the fish would be at its hiding place, right smack in the back centre of the tank. I'm told by my wife that the fish comes out only after I've left...darn! She remains most times on the outside. Some portions of the tail have started to grow... it grows fast but still not complete.

I'm unable to feed her, or rather she's not taken to food. I've tried fresh prawns, pallet and flake food and nori. My NO3 I think would have gone up as I've overfed the tank in hope that she'll take to some food.

I'll be prepared to try anything to treat her especially to get her to eat... the only thing I not prepared to do is to take her out of the tank as I find that it gives her comfort. I'll be changing some water tomorrow after work to make sure that the water is in good condition. Thanks to all in advance of your reply.

mm

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/524/66739P1014367_2.jpg http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/524/66739P1014366_1.jpg
Ps : the pic was taken on Day4

[copps]

Originally posted by madmac
I have been looking for such a fish since I saw the Reefkeeping's September TOTM. I fell in love with it and have been trying to acquire one since. (-- John Copps, those are very nice pics and what a sight to behold!)


Thanks and good luck... mine continues to thrive:beer: I'd love to pair him up in the future...

for those who haven't seen captive breeding regals, check this out complete with video...

mating regals (http://www.minireef.esmartweb.com/loveinreef.htm)

[reefyguy]

still hasnt eaten....tried the angel fish cubes and it didnt work...damn thing is it comes out and just swims all around the food but doesent eat it.

[Pianoplayer]

that's amazed, how they get paired?

[reefyguy]

picking at the rocks last night..positive sign

[piscies75]

very positive sign, picking at rocks.
don't think quarantine is the way to go.
anybody know if they will try to eat my large 3 cleaner shrimp?

[piscies75]

hi the LFS said they just got in some Regals from Phillipines but not near the nice colour of the Red Sea ones. They are giving me a credit for the one that died the same day I got him. Next shipment expected in two months. Gives me lot of time to prepare my tank. happy now.

[kiffo]

hey pianoplayer I'm a bit shocked by your seeming lack of morals, how many of these beautiful fish have sentenced to death?? Perhaps you should just look at them in the shop and then leave them the hell alone for someone with a hope of keeping them alive. Striving to keep a fish alive for 6 months?? Try 6 years as this is what the responsible keeper is strivng for at the least! Sure things happen we make mistakes but what you're doing is wrong IMO, make the mistake, but learn from it! Don't kill more! You and your tank are obviously not ready for this delicate fish, I don't mean to be nasty but I'm sure my opinion is held by other members on the forum, if it weren't i'd be dissapointed.

[madmac]

Day+6. The Regal comes out more often and is easily seen most times... unless I approach too close to the tank walls, she is often checking out the entire tank... able to see her pecking at the rocks... too little for my liking.

The fungi is gone... scares still remain on the body and tail. Swims often to the cleaner shrimp for a job, noticed some ick also appearing now, not out of the woods yet... she appears a little slow mo/daze... not sure if these are traits of the Regal... graceful or stun? I mean she's not as quick/fast as the PT or the pygmies, just gliding in the water, then up the the surface and back down again. Anyone?

Bought two small colonies of zoos in the hope that she'll feed on them.

[madmac]

D+7. She has taken to granulated food, Sera's "Granu Marin"... just a few.. was seen with more intent when pecking at rocks and the algae on the pipes. The white dots turn out to be fungi again, growing bigger and 'eating' on the the newly repaired fins/tail. : (

Fish is more alert... left the zoos alone... the CS is too full, from an overfed tank, to care for the sickly fish. Did a 1/5 water change. Trying Formula TWO and Cyclop-eeze wafer in the AM.

[nbd13]

hey i am considering getting one of these, i lovve them!

but are they ok with clams?

anyone have any problems witht clams?

it will go in a 180 SPS/Clam tank with the following fish,
2 neon gobies (pair)
2 ocellaris clowns (pair)
Social Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus rubriventralis)
2 Bellus Angels (pair)
Flame Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus jordani) REGULAR BUT SMALLER
Laboutei Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus laboutei)
Lineatus Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus lineatus) SUPER MALE
Desjardinii Salfin Tang
Orange Shoulder Tang

thanks!

Nick

[hickers89]

BUMP - thread that I am interested in , so long as people remain concientious

[reefyguy]

WEll the regal looks like it has pulled through. It ate some mysis off the powerhead and also a few flakes.I added cyclopeeze to the food mixture this time and it seemed to work. Either that or the fish finally decided to eat. Hopefully this continues to be the case

[gofor100]

This fish will hopefully be one of the centerpieces of my dream 500G tank...in about 10 years. For now, just gaining as much experience with my 60 gallon reef, and once I find my permanent house and convert into my 500G custom mixed reef tank, I'll be happy as a pig in mud.

[madmac]

Originally posted by reefyguy
WEll the regal looks like it has pulled through. It ate some mysis off the powerhead and also a few flakes.I added cyclopeeze to the food mixture this time and it seemed to work. Either that or the fish finally decided to eat. Hopefully this continues to be the case

Hi, great to hear that! I'm not having too much success in getting it to take food willingly... on D+8, I had to had to take her out of the main tank into a QT... for too many obvious reasons(now). She is a very finicky eater, often swimming to the food and then away... and I wonder if that has to do with the size of this fish, about 3 inches long.

Believe the white stuff is Lymphocystis, which is off again now.

... waiting patiently.

[gosman]

hiya,
i am trying to keep this thread going due to the fact that i am getting one tomorrow{sunday} been waiting three months for the right one.
chris.

[mikeo1210]

How are they doing?

[Bugger]

Is that a real tattoo

[Tremelle]

That is a Photoshop tattoo on Mike Tyson.

[mikeo1210]

Originally posted by Tremelle
That is a Photoshop tattoo on Mike Tyson.

Come on. Give me some credit.. I would never do that.

That's the real thing :D

[gosman]

hiya,
i had to drive nearly two hundred miles to get the angel today. when i got to the lfs the fish had just finished feeding{i thought i was in for a long wait,cus if they didn't feed i wouldn't have one} i saw two angels,and wanted the fattest one. after watching them for a while i realised that the fattest was just swimming about chilling,the other one was hunting for food. i got the lfs to put more food in and the smaller one went mad eating everything and now he's mine:D. got him home and after a hour of acclimatizing him, he was in the tank. i didn't expect to see him again for a day or so,but after about 50 seconds he was out and the cleaner shrimp was all over him.he started eating off the rocks straight away{unreal},so i put in some food and he chases it and eats again. two hours later i put some squid tied to a rock in for him, he attacked it so hard that he was lifting the rock off the sand bed. he is a red sea regal and well worth the three month wait {and two hundred mile trip} he's all over the front of the tank as i'm typing this,i will post a photo in a day or two{i don't want to upset him}.sorry about such a long post but i'm over the moon.
chris

[mikeo1210]

They say you should feed lightly the first couple days Chris.

That's great he's got an appetite.

[Baalz]

Why would you feed lightly for a few days?

[mikeo1210]

I don't know that's what "they" say ask "them".. :D

Actually makes sense the fish is stressed and acclimating to new environment.

[Baalz]

who is they? I've had a regal for a while now and never heard that advice. Just curious.

[mikeo1210]

Originally posted by Baalz
who is they? I've had a regal for a while now and never heard that advice. Just curious.

Feed lightly the first couple days after you acclimate any fish. You've never heard that? I'm quite sure Fenner's book says this for one. I could dig through a couple books and look for it.

[gosman]

mikeo1210
cheers for the reply, if he is searching for food and eating off the rocks he must be hungry, if i put in some food and he eats it, it can only be good{i hope}.if i can get him to eat different foods in the early days it will so much easier later on. he will be fatter,stronger so his immune system should be stronger.
today i tied some sea weed select to a rock, he had a look then swam away so i put in a mixture of brine shrimp,mysis,prawn,squid,not loads. he ate a bit of everything.
he's now eating the wild sponge that on the back of live rock and swimming all over the tank.
chris.

[Baalz]

gosman
Just feed what ever it takes to get him to eat. Being careful not to overfeed the tank. Maybe thats the best advice.
My Regal tears up Dulce and Nori, looks at everything else and slaughtered my zoanthids.
When I added my achilles over a year ago (another picky eater) I had to feed a mixture of everything until he finally ate well. Now he eats anything. Still waiting on Regal to pick up this habit. But at least he is fat and happy.

[Kelly]

I finally got a regal after waiting an eternity for one that was eating and fat. Many thanks to joetbs for finding it for me.

Been in my sps dominated tank for three days now and gets bolder by the day. Keeping my fingers crossed.

[Kelly]

Still trying to figure out this pic posting nonsense..here goes





http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/10035DSC00898.JPG

[DJPB]

Here ya go:)

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/10035DSC00898.JPG

[Kelly]

THANKS!!

I still dont understand why it didn't work......what did I do wrong??

[madmac]

Hi, I lost her last Wednesday. She was starved and very week and was kept being taken in by the power head.

10 days earlier, I had to put her into a QT as my main tank was losing its water parameters... from there on, it was downhill. For those of you who are contemplating one, an injured Regal is definitely challenging one as the fish is more sensitive (adding to its already shy nature) to everything(environment, other fish and even humans).

Moreover, I would add (to the earlier posts) that the fish won't do quite well in a QT, where I was able to get her to take some pallet food (after like 6 days or so) in the main tank(& this was way after all other fish/shrimps had their fill... hence the worsening of my water parameters), it was different in the QT, I just wasn't able to create another environment like my main tank.

I think I could have eventually saved her at the expense of my Main tank, but unfortunately, that wasn't to be the case. I had got her for SGD$10 and I'm sure the LFS had written it off, but in the process have spent more than 10 times that amount to savage her. Speaking about $$$ here, but I think the wiser thing to have used the money for a healthy, hearty fish... much more could have been lost, yes. That was a damn beauty... maybe on another occasion.

I spoke to the LFS, who told me that the fish I got was from Medan, Indonesia. Yes, even though it was yellow belly/chested. He told me that the Red Sea varietal, has a shorter body length than the ones from Indonesia. I kinda prefer the Red Sea type for its shorter body, think its proportionally more beautiful and I heard it also more hardy.

Best to all, mm

[awsomeangels]

Hi everyone my name is Rob. As of three days ago my Regal has been eating like a pig. This angel has been in my aquarium for about a week and a half. This was a wonderful suprise being how Ive tried a red sea before and unfortunately was unsuccessful at getting him to eat. He held out for about six weeks before starving because he had cleaned out all small polyps and ran out of food. My new Regal is a pacific angel and is doing great. This is a huge triumph be cause he is not the only angel or red sea fish in my aquarium. He shares his home with a Koran angel, Queen angel, and a Personifer angel. As well as Three tangs A Sailfin tang, A Purple tang , and a Hippo tang. So this truly was a happy day. Thanks for letting me share. Rob

[danfishman]

Good On ya Rob;)
Sounds very promising. Watch out for it those Queen and Koran Angel scan be very nasty if they won't too.

[mortenN]

Hi.
Here is my little Pygo.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/524/69021IMG_1004_ny_web.jpg

He live in my 85g SPS tank and have dont touch any of the SPS.
I have not any zoantide in the tank.

He loves to eat everything i put into the tank.
I feed with:
Formula one
Formula two
Cyclop-eeze flakefood
KENT platinum
Frozen Artemia
Frozen Dafnier
Frozen Angel and Butterfly diet

More pic's comes later.

[ReefGeekster]

Originally posted by madmac
Hi, I lost her last Wednesday. She was starved and very week and was kept being taken in by the power head.

Sorry for the loss, I enjoyed reading your timeline with the fish, and I am trying a IO one and from AllSeas out of LA. It's in a 20g QT tank now. It's small aprx. 4" I tried a larger one once though I think it was too large and already set in it's way of food. Hopefully this one will fare better.

[DJPB]

Originally posted by ReefGeekster
I am trying a IO one and from AllSeas out of LA. It's in a 20g QT tank now. It's small aprx. 4" I tried a larger one once though I think it was too large and already set in it's way of food. Hopefully this one will fare better.

Good luck with your new angel. I noticed your super nice blue zoos in your gallery. Hopefully your angel will leave them alone:)

[ReefGeekster]

Originally posted by DJPB
Good luck with your new angel. I noticed your super nice blue zoos in your gallery. Hopefully your angel will leave them alone:)


:D My PPE's and others are in a 20g long tank, the Regal Angel will be housed in the 90g main tank LR and low end softies.

[moonpod]

Nice PPEs. Did you get them from Blane? If so, how are they growing?

[ReefGeekster]

Originally posted by moonpod
Nice PPEs. Did you get them from Blane? If so, how are they growing?

Yes, they are doing great. Slow growing but had two additional polyps

[mmmmsushi]

I just picked up a Regal. She's beautiful. I did not QT her. Perhaps I should have. She was showing signs of ich at the store last week when I put money down. I went in today and she looked much better so I decided to take a major risk and bring her home. She's now in my display and was nibbling on some flake I put in for the other fish. It's been less than 6 hours but so far so good. I'll be on edge for the next three weeks. I fogot to mention that she was eating quite well in the store.

I'm cautiously optimistic.

[malegolf]

I picked up a Regal Thursday afternoon, it hasen't ate yet..... From what I'm reading that's OK, right???? It came out from under the rocks last night and swam around for a few minutes but didn't eat. It seems to stay under the rocks on the bottom of the tank. Please help with suggestions....

Thanks

[mmmmsushi]

Mine chomped down on some Formula 1. Again this is a good sign.

Malegolf. I'm not sure what the concensus here says but garlic have been mentioned to help fish eat. What have you tried to feed it?

[malegolf]

Mysis cube, Thera+A, Formula 2, Brime Shrimp Plus, Red Seaweed, all soaked with Kent Garlic, and Selcon for about 15-20 minutes. I have some other Sea Veggies, I haven't checked my parimaters today, I feed twice yesterday, and the other four fish ate well though. I'm checking after bit to see if everything OK, it was last Sunday......

Thanks

[mmmmsushi]

As we know these beauties are a real hit or miss. I think I've lucked out as mines been in the tank for about 4 hours now and has eaten formula 1, Flake, and nori. Of course I'm on 4 hours into this. She may stop tomorrow.

[chrispav]

My Regal won't eat either. It's been 2 days and it swims in the open without hesitation. I just can't get it to bite anything. I put some romain lettuce on a clip hoping it will bite on that.

I threw some MYSIS Shrimp in the tank and I tried Mega-Marine Angel (frozen fish foods). I let the food defrost and I threw it in. Is this wrong? Is there a certain way I'm suppose to put it in the tank?

[moonpod]

Try fresh mussels. If that doesn't work, try sea urchin. You can find it at Japanese Markets usually. Also try some gracilleria macro (tang heaven/ogo). Romaine is....shall we say "unnatural" and not a great candidate IMO for a transitional food.
My fish all really dig this stuff as well. Can be found at "whole foods" stores
http://www.seaveg.com/dulse_leaf.html

[mmmmsushi]

Lots of fish dig clams too.

I'm not trying to rub this in your face but I've been very fortunate with my newly added Regal. She's eating like a pig and only been picking on some sponges that came in on the live rock.

[malegolf]

Mine didn't come out from under the rocks for three days, finally died............

[mmmmsushi]

Originally posted by malegolf
Mine didn't come out from under the rocks for three days, finally died............

I'm really sorry to hear that. :(

[awsomeangels]

Hi everyone. My Pacific Regal has died not to starvation, and im not sure to what. This fish was eating very well it would eat almost anything I offered. Im not sure why but the same(disease) took out three of my angels about two and a half months ago a scribbled a flame and a bicolor. The same one and only visable symptom was that the pect, anal , dosal, and tail fins over night were very badly disolved. This fish the night before had eaten three good meals. There was no bulling exept a little aggresion at feeding time at least while the lights were on. What ever this is it is only affecting my angel fish. Any one have a clue what this could be? Any info would be helpfull thanks.

[mmmmsushi]

Originally posted by awsomeangels
Hi everyone. My Pacific Regal has died not to starvation, and im not sure to what. This fish was eating very well it would eat almost anything I offered. Im not sure why but the same(disease) took out three of my angels about two and a half months ago a scribbled a flame and a bicolor. The same one and only visable symptom was that the pect, anal , dosal, and tail fins over night were very badly disolved. This fish the night before had eaten three good meals. There was no bulling exept a little aggresion at feeding time at least while the lights were on. What ever this is it is only affecting my angel fish. Any one have a clue what this could be? Any info would be helpfull thanks.

That is NOT cool. :( Mine is eating like a pig right now and this story worries me. Have you asked this in the disease forum?

[awsomeangels]

No I havent I thought I wold ask here first and go from there. I have kept and still keeping several angel fish but I have never had this fast acting killer hapen. Until a couple months ago.

[dodgerblew]

A Regal angel thread. How cool!!

Guess i'll jump on the bandwagon:D. Purchased a Red Sea Regal online (gutsy, eh ) from TheMarineCenter.com 2 weeks ago, 4" and absolutely beautiful, not shy and eats like a pig since day 1 and favorite is Formula 2 "FLAKES" but has eaten everything offered. I can't believe it. Hasn't messed with zoos, palys, Xenia, any corals or fish and all other fish have shown no interest in angel either inc. Purple and sailfin tangs, sixline and fairy wrasse or very large GSM clown. They are IMHO the most beautiful of all the angels and I hesitated buying one for years because of the horror stories I heard. I guess I got cocky after purchasing a fathead anthias, which I was warned not to buy because they are to shy and don't eat well and wouldn't survive an extended period, and it too is anything as been described to me. I am so freakin happy that its working out OK.

[malegolf]

I got this Regal Tuesday, he's eating good and comes out a little, he's still kind of shy. Will he start to come out more after he gets used to the atmosphere, he eats six to eight Mysis when I feed him, is that enough or should I feed him a couple times a day. As you can see he's nipping on some of the corals..... Thanks for your input.....


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/malegolf/TangIV.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/malegolf/Tang.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/malegolf/TangIII.jpg

[nbd13]

IMO feed him a couple times of day for bets health and since regals are tough as it is, i am goign to feed my about 3 times a day, i like to feed 3 times a day in smaller amounts!

so to answer your question defintaly feed 2-3 times a day!

thanks!

Nick

[bean3178]

I currently have the following in my tank. I'd like to get a Regal Angel. I've read this thread and understand I should probably get rid of my zoo's. Do you think the following will be safe with a Regal Angel?

Lobophyllia Hemprichi
Candy Cane Coral
Red Sea Pulsing Xenia (grows like weeds)
3 colonies of Acropora
Rose Bubble Tipped Anemone
Crocea Clam
Assorted Zoanthid's
Purple Tang
Yellow Tang
Lawnmower Blenny
Green Chromis

[Tremelle]

The xenia will be not be a problem too long, since it will be taken care of by the Regal. I would be concerned with the Purple and Yellow Tangs. They may pose the biggest threat to the Regal feeling comfortable and welcomed. Regals are already shy by nature. Your tangs may make it hide and waste away. Also Regals are not the most aggresive feeders. The tangs may also intimidate the Regal at feeding time with their darting around for food. These are just things to consider.

[malegolf]

I have a small 2" red Flame Hawk and I notice my Regal shying away from it and it's about 5" or more. He's picking on the zoo's as you can see in the pic above, he eats like a pig, i feed a cube of mysis and he eats 10 to 12 right now. I want a Powder Blue Tang, I was told to wait a couple months to let the Regal get comfortable???????

[GoFishJoel]

Malegolf,
What is the gray color on the underside of your fish? I have not seen that before.

[malegolf]

He will only eat Mysis, I've tried several flakes and a couple seaweeds on a clip???? Does the food he eats cause the colors of their belly? Years ago I had several Pirahna's, we used to feed them goldfish and their belly's turned orange. Any suggestions on how to get him to eat anything but Mysis, he eats like a pig when I feed him?????? Thanks...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/malegolf/150%20Gallon%20Acrylic/Regal13IV.jpg

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

[moonpod]

mysis is good for him. don't stress it.

[Tremelle]

The Regals from the Red Sea and Indian Ocean have the yellow bellies. Regals from the Pacific Ocean have the blueish gray bellies.

[DJPB]

Originally posted by Tremelle
The Regals from the Red Sea and Indian Ocean have the yellow bellies. Regals from the Pacific Ocean have the blueish gray bellies.
Traditionally you are correct. However, there have been exceptions to this recently. My regal, which has a gray/yellow chest is from the indian ocean. I believe moonpod has or had a yellow chested regal from the pacific. Maybe these regals are being mis-labeled upon import, or maybe regals are more diverse in the wild than we thought...

[moonpod]

My regal was labelled "Bali" which is the border sort of between IO and the Pacific. In that area I believe there is cross over. Once you get over to Africa and the Red Sea I think it's pretty universally yellow chested.

[malegolf]

So my theory of feeding him something other than Mysis is off?????? Some foods say on the label will enhance colors, not the bellies???????? Thanks for you help.....

[MrMongoose]

Brought mine home today....got a call from my buddy at the LFS he knew I was wanting one. Its a Fat Red Sea version...about 4-4.5 inches long...

[malegolf]

Cool is he eating yet, take you time with him, they're GREAT. Good luck, keep us posted...

[MrMongoose]

I haven't tired to feed him yet, he has been in the tank for about 8 hours. For the most part he stays behind the rock but I have seen him out front and picking at the rock. I'm going to try and feed him tomarrow w/ frozen misis and garlic. I"ll keep you posted and get some pictures after he is not so shy.

[malegolf]

Mine now comes out to the front of the tank when I get ready to feed him, much better than when I got him. He is out swimming around about 50% of the time now........

[MrMongoose]

Day #2....Still extreemly shy but swims freely in the tank when he 'thinks' he is the only one around. Picks on the rockwork numorus times. Did not eat seaweed from the clip or mysis w/ garlic today.

Tomarrow I will trying pinching seaweed in between a couple peices of rock to see if he will take it from that approach. All in all I think its pretty good progess for one day, nothing spectacular but I'm happy.

malegolf: How many days was it before yours would let you watch him swim around?

[mmmmsushi]

Do you have any Dither fish in your tank? I have some Chromis that I'm using specifically as dither fish and all the inhabitants seem to spend all their time in the water column rather than hiding. My Regal spent part of the first day swimming around near a cave, but after that she was nosing around everywhere looking for food.

[MrMongoose]

No I do not...my only other fish include (2) Neon Gobys and (1) 2inch yellow tang.....He took one look at the Regal and decided he didn't want a peice. HAHA.

[mmmmsushi]

lol.. The Regal can be a little timid. There may not be enough going on in the tank for her to feel comfortable in the open.

You don't have to get dither fish but it may be helpful if your tank can sustain it.

I have 5 cromis', 5 neon gobies, two tangs, two clowns, a blenny, and a Butterfly in addition to the two Angels in my tank. I'm sure somone will comment on the stocking level of this tank, but it's busy and there's little to no agressivness except for the occasional clown chasing the other around. There's also a ton of water flow which keeps the fish out and active (approx 30x turnover)

[MrMongoose]

Day #3

The Regal is now out almost 100% of the time but still has not to my knowledge had anything of mine to eat. He swims around the liverock and coral and constintly picks at the rock. Also he WILL let me be in the same room with him and let me walk around alittle...if I get too close he goes to his safe spot.

Today I tried feeding both Red and Green Alge rubberbanded to a rock along with mysis/garlic. I picked up some Squid from the LFS, and have an last resort plan of buying a rock of zoos in a few days if he still does not eat.

All in all the progress I'm seeing looks very promising and my guess would be that tomarrow or Saturday would be the magic day. (Still too shy for pictures) sorry

[nbd13]

try a clam on the half shell or mussel on a half shell.
that will get him to eat!

Nick

[MrMongoose]

Thanks nick I will give it a try...

Do you think its just the inital getting them to eat in captivity that is hard?

[nbd13]

yeah i woudl say so,

when i pick one out for my tank i will only get it if its eatting with vigor at the LFS! i mean attacking the food!

Nick

[Purple Haze]

Anyone have a pair in their tank?

Any hobbyist had sucess breeding them?

[mmmmsushi]

Angels are increadibly difficule to breed. They need a very tall water column to complete the fertilization of the eggs. I believe the only tanks capable of that are several feet tall.

I'm sure someone else has more information on that.

A pair would be very cool.

[Rendos]

I have had mine for about 4 months now. He was a great find...the pet shop I got him from had him for several months before I bought him. The owner said no one was interested in him, and gave me a pretty good price just to get it out of his store. It ate everything offered. I took him home, acclimated him, and then introduced him to the tank. It never acted stressed at all...it almost immediately began swimming around and checking out the tank. He has been the perfect inhabitant up to now. He eats everything offered, but I make my own food and feed that most of the time. He is in with oscellaris clowns, a pink square anthias, a regal tang, 2 orange shoulder tangs, and a sixline wrasse. They all get along wonderfully. The tank is a 200 gallon measuring 72"X30"X21".

http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/10956586-L.jpg

[moonpod]

Originally posted by Purple Haze
Anyone have a pair in their tank?

Any hobbyist had sucess breeding them?

The only large angel that I've heard of being successfully bred are the the P. Maculosus. Apparently in Taiwan or something they are breeding them in large ponds. It's hit and miss though apparently and you hear different things about the hardiness.

[MrMongoose]

pikey: Thats a cool pictures and he must love that 200G...well maybe not compared to the ocean but he can't hate it thats for sure.

This fish is going to be my reasoning for setting up a 120G SPS :)

[copps]

Originally posted by Purple Haze
Anyone have a pair in their tank?

Any hobbyist had sucess breeding them?

Not only does this guy have a pair in his 350 gallon (33" deep), but they are spawning regularly and he has video of it... Unfortunately raising the young is obviously a different story...

This guy is doing something right, as he also has a pair of flames and bicolors, and even purple tangs that have spawned... Instances like these show it's only a matter of time before more large angels are offered captive bred.

Check out his sight with the videos here (regal spawning link) (http://www.minireef.esmartweb.com/loveinreef.htm#)

Copps

[zfunk007]

Well this thread has definetly brought me hope of keeping a Regal again. I am lucky enough to work at my LFS and have access to all the wholesalers in Miami (as well as wholesale prices hehe) so i can basically go down there and take my pick. I picked out a Regal this past Aug. and introduced him into my 210. I enticed him to eat by putting clips of food through out the tank, and he seemed to be eating macroalgae and sponge formula. Unforunatly we all know what happend then. The hurricanes hit here in Florida and i lost all my tanks. Well 5 months later i have them up and running again and im just about ready to get another Regal. Thanks for all the great info in this thread guys! I'll be sure and post pics once i get him.

[MrMongoose]

Day #4
Still did not eat, tried to feed seaweed, squid and clam on the half shell. However the fish is still fat as a pig so I'm not too worried yet.

[MrMongoose]

Morning Day #5

Cut and oyster in 1/2 and attached it to an alge clip in the tank when I got up today....about 30 minutes later the regal was out and picking at it, not attacking it but picking at it, I think this is the first of many good things to come hopefully.

I put this food in before the lights kicked on so I think he feels more comforatable w/ the lights off for right now. On my way to Marsh to get a clam and another oyster. My plan is to keep him healthy w/ these foods and slowly try to get him to take to other things.
- Nathan

[Scuba Dog]

Whats the minimal tank size for a reagal to do well in? The largest tank I have at the moment is a 75..with a large water capacity two sumps and a hang on the back fuge with a 57 gallon clam tank plumbed into the display...water quality is super...Just wondering if a 75 is to small swiming area for 2 tangs and a regal...or if the regal would do ok in the clam tank, its 35 x 30 x 13.....and the only way I can get a regal is by specal order or order one online so its a risk no matter what....

[malegolf]

Good maybe he will start eating soon, mine won't eat any dried food, I think I will get a clam and oyster to see if he will eat that also. I just got power back on and still don't have high speed internet just dial up, we had 1 1/2" of ice. Man what a mess.

[MrMongoose]

malegolf: Yeah I was worrying alittle w/ the weather also, we only got about 1/2 inch up in Lafayette but I was sweating bullets.
I'm going to crack open another fresh clam or oyster tomarrow marning and hope for similar results.

As for the tank size for a regal I would say that it depends on how large the fish is....I'm only planning on having a maximum of two fish total in my tank and being an SPS system the water quality and flow/lighting is similar to what a regal will experiance in the ocean.

P.S. My regal was actually ripping off small peices and thrashing them back and forth in the water today :cool:

[Scuba Dog]

If I purchase a regal it will have to be a site unseen online purchase, and I would want a juvie....a tank upgrade is in the works within the next year and a half to two years...and how do a tangs respond to regals or a juvi imperator?

[moonpod]

depends. Sometimes the tangs are really aggressive, sometimes they ignore 'em. Kinda individual. The acanthurus are worse than say nasos or the bristle tooths. But that's a generality.

[Scuba Dog]

Can anyone recomend an online sorce for ordering a regal..one thats already in good health and eating? PM me the response would hate for this thread to be moved to the vender forum....

[moonpod]

I am NOT a vendor/retailer/middleman etc....so this is an independent opinion. The fish at PacAquaFarms are generally in pretty good shape. I ASSUME that this is where reefermadness gets their fish from. so I might give them a call. Otherwise TheMarineCenter has a reasonable reputation. I have no experience with justrarefish, but I've heard good things.

[moonpod]

Additionally, this thread sort of makes me vaguely uncomfortable. There are a lot of success stories here, but the generality is still that the vast majority of Regals that are collected are probably doomed...there is still no "magic equation" for success. I know it sounds vaguely hippocritical from someone who has one, but it's just food for thought.

[malegolf]

I got mine from PA, since I only live 55 miles from them. Jeremy kept if for me a couple weeks after he got it and got it to eat, I feel that's the difference between the 1st one I got and this one. The 1st one I picked up the next day after PA got it and I think that was to much stress for it, this one will now come to the top when I feed him. He will also come to the front of the tank when I walk up to the tank, I just wish he would eat something other than Mysis. I guess that's what he's going eat, I sure would like to feed some seaweed or flake that he would eat......

[orangereefer]

Thought, I'd share. I just purchased a Red Sea Regal from my local fish store. It's about 3-4 inches and is very healthy. To me, this has been a prize fish I had sought for quite some time. It's already acclimated in my 120 reef tank and so far has not picked on any of the corals which may change once he truly get acclimated.

Both my purp and powder blue tang bullied him for the first 6 hours but now have accepted him as part of the family. The regal is totally swimming in the open, in and out of the rock cave formation.

Funny thing since this was one of the sought fish I was looking for, the local fish store actually had 3 regals and the one I purchased was the perfect size. The owner told me he got them at Walt Smiths so I assume he has very good repuation of acquring his fish hand caught which made me happier in my purchase decision. I did try to feed him that day but I assume he's still acclimating to my tank.

Again, just thought I'd share my new purchase since this is a regal thread and all and I'll post Pics soon...Mel :D

[MrMongoose]

Originally posted by moonpod
Additionally, this thread sort of makes me vaguely uncomfortable. There are a lot of success stories here, but the generality is still that the vast majority of Regals that are collected are probably doomed...there is still no "magic equation" for success. I know it sounds vaguely hippocritical from someone who has one, but it's just food for thought.


Yes I understand what you mean, however mine is not a success story yet, I feel the next month is still going to be critical. I have been reading about this fish for a good 4 months before I took mine home...

I'm also wondering what everyone thinks a good fishload would be in a heavy skimmed 65G sps tank...I think my Regal would be alot more comfortable if I added one more fish. This is what I currently have.
(1) Yellow tang 2in
(1) Regal 4.5in
(2) Neon Gobys

Planning on upgrading to a 120 in about two years....what do you guys think? I do water changes of 15gallons RO/DI every week. I would like to get a very small Copperband

[szwab]

How many have had regals for extended periods of time? My understatnding is that getting them to eat is step one. After that there is a nutrition factor and keeping them healthy long term.

I have also heard that long acclimation +4 hours is also very helpful for initial success.

[moonpod]

Well my regal seems happy and healthy and is now been in captivity since Aug, 2003.

[malegolf]

I've had mine a month, he's eating all the Mysis I feed him soaked in garlic. I've been told that is one of the best diets you can feed them. I'm thinking about a Powder Blue Tang now, how long should I wait before adding another big fish?????? I have a Neon Dotty Back, Flame Hawk, and a Gold Stripe Maroon clown now, the Regal is the king of the tank right now.

[maxrep12]

My Regal Angel does NOT eat zoo's. I guess this is definately the exception to the rule. I am thinking of adding clams as many regal owners seem to be successful with this combo. The only coral my angel has nibbled is "stool of toad".

I was able to watch my regal eat pellet food at the lfs before the purchase.

[MrMongoose]

Just thought I would give everyone an update on mine.

I have had him for exactly 1 week today. He is still pretty shy, although is less shy around me :p We be buddies! He is ok if I'm sitting on the couch watching him or even up at the front of the tank as long as I'm sitting down. He does not like it when I walk accross the room or if I make any sudden movements.

I had sucess with the following feeding methed.

Steps
1) Offering both clam and oyster on the 1/2 shell laying on liverock.
2) Offering both clam and oyster on the 1/2 shell attached to alge clip.
3) Offering both clam and oyster (meat only) attached to alge clip
4) Todays break through was that he ate squid attached to the alge clip.

The rest of this week I plan to try and get him eating alge and other foods off of the alge clip, and then with alittle luck hopefully he will start eating foods out in open water.
-Nathan

[DJPB]

I've had my regal since June 2004. Seems healthy, reigning king of the tank.

[szwab]

good to see there are some long term successes! Has anyone had experience with both the red sea and others? is there a difference in quality or just color?

thanks

[malegolf]

I sat an oyster on the half shell on the rocks, kind of chopped a little, he wouldn't eat it, just picked at it once. I then put a squid tentacle on a clip he would touch it, both for about 15 minutes. I guess mine only eats Mysis?????????

[MrMongoose]

Mine just started eating alge off the clip!!! woohoo balanced diet.

Malegolf thats weird because mine will not eat misis yet. Differant strokes for differant folks

[Outerbank]

Malegolf, PBTs get aggressive and can get to a pretty good size. 150, although a very nice tank, may be too small for the PBT unless there is a lot of swimming room.

[MrMongoose]

Finally a couple pictures....hope you enjoy. He now is eating anything I put in the tank and swims around freely at all times.


http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/524/64845For_RC.JPG
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/524/64845RC2.JPG

[malegolf]

Nice, real nice, I wish mine would eat something else......... Just Mysis.

[MrMongoose]

Thats odd....Try putting in other meaty foods and even seaweed for a couple days w/o feeding Mysis. Maybe if he starts to get a little hungry he will change his mind about what is good.

[Universal]

MrMongoose that is a lovely looking fish, cant wait until i see one in my tank.

[MrMongoose]

Thanks! Yes the feeding in the tank is centered around him and my other fish just get what is left over.

[unicornis]

Woah dinno there was a thread ddicated to regal angel.. ok heres my RS regal

http://www.sgreefclub.com/forum/uploads/post-34-1106119927.jpg

[MrMongoose]

Awesome! How big is yours? Mine has a 'Y' on its side and your has an 'X'

[unicornis]

Originally posted by MrMongoose
Awesome! How big is yours? Mine has a 'Y' on its side and your has an 'X'

cool you notice it too.... mine is ard 3.5inch

[MrMongoose]

Cool, Mine is about an inch bigger than yours I love the bottem fin w/ the Blue and Rusty Bronze color from the RS Regals.

[unicornis]

cool... mine has been doing very well since day 2... i bring it hme on day 1 and it was looking very stress from the way it breathes at at first i thought it was not going to amke it... but on day 2 it was doing well.. and ard day 4 it start eating frozen mysis and brine.... IOts been darting in and out of liverock for the first week but now it just swim openly ... lapping ard the tank..... I had a zoos garden.. My experience with this fish is that this regal only wack zoos that are sickly or cover ina lgae... it wun wack healthy zoos....

see my zoo garden http://www.sgreefclub.com/forum/uploads/post-34-1106202966.jpg

[MrMongoose]

Wow cool! Your experiance sounds almost identical to mine.

[malegolf]

I had zoo's also, there gone now.......

[Aquaduck]

I found this 4" Regal at one of the LFS. I'm not sure of the origin of the fish (Iforgot toask!). They had it for 6 weeks and were feeding it freeze dried blood worms of all things. I asked to see the fish eat and it did so I took a chance on it. I treated it with copper in a quarantine tank for a few days then I read how copper can interfere with a fishes sense of taste and I did not want her to stop eating, so I trasfered her into my main tank. My yellow tang immediately took offense to the new-comer with the usual tail fanning like I thought it would. But with the Regal being a good inch larger it paid no attention to the tang. Now they get along great. The Regal ate a few sponges that I had growing in the tank as well as grazed on a very large white sea squirt that had been growing for over a year. She's eaten a patch of small brown zoos with orange centers but left everything in the tank alone. She's adjusted well to tank life and comes to the front whenever I am by the tank. I feed her Hikari Marine Angel frozen cubes thawed in tank water and feed with a pipette which she eagerly eats from. She also eats mysis and grazes on the rocks and glass. Here's my pride and joy of the tank:

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/55972Regal_Angel1.JPG

[MrMongoose]

Looks like an Indo Regal, Also its not good to treat Angels w/ copper as you now know.

[dvmsn]

I thought I would relate this sad story. I posted picks of my regal on the first page of this thread. I was married on October 30, 2004. We left for the Bahamas the next day. I returned home to find my return pump had gone offline. Everything in my tank was dead, including my HEALTHY, eating all prepared food, not picking at anything in the tank including zoos, Regal Angel. So if anybody needs to get rid of theirs, I would be happy to help you out.

[mmmmsushi]

Originally posted by dvmsn
I thought I would relate this sad story. I posted picks of my regal on the first page of this thread. I was married on October 30, 2004. We left for the Bahamas the next day. I returned home to find my return pump had gone offline. Everything in my tank was dead, including my HEALTHY, eating all prepared food, not picking at anything in the tank including zoos, Regal Angel. So if anybody needs to get rid of theirs, I would be happy to help you out.

I'm sorry to hear that. Major Bummer.

You live in Georgetown? Is there a LFS around there other than Myrtle? My family has a place down there. Technically in Georgetown.

[dvmsn]

Only in Myrtle Beach.

[Cruiznblue]

I have had a Regal for almost a week, and still have not seen it eat anything. Zoos have not been touched, but the fish is always hidding in the rocks. Wondering what people have had luck with getting them to eat.

I have tried Cyclopeeze, frozen mysis and brine, different flakes.

[dvmsn]

Did you see it eat anything at the LFS?

[copps]

Along with the recent success in keeping this species on more of a regular basis comes those specimens that will just refuse to eat until they completely waste away. It's a good indicator of health on many fish, but most importantly with these guys. Just keep throwing different things at him... They could last a while on picking alone...

[Cruiznblue]

I actually didnt get him at a local fish store...I had someone pick him up from a local supplier here in L.A.

It is extremely healthy looking, and very bright colors...just not seeing him eat.

He lets the dam shrimp crawl over him...maybe he should just eat them. :)

[MrMongoose]

Try Fresh Clam or Oyster on the 1/2 shell on an alge clip, that worked for me. Also I think a major part of why these fish won't eat at first is because they are extreemly shy. Don't try to spy on him just put the food in and walk away, they can see you from about 20 feet away. Trust me I KNOW HAHA.

[Aquaduck]

Mine just started eating frozen Cyclopeze today! She's been watching the other fish feed on them for a few days and tonight she decided to try them and ate quite a bit.

[unicornis]

haha i was feedig mysis one day and it just viola.. start to eat

[Project Reef]

Alright! Picked up a cute little juvi. Red Sea regal on Friday. He's about 2 1/2-3" with really nice coloration. I'm stoked now because I just saw him taking a bunch of Spectrum Pellets and then going #2 after that. :D

About 5 minutes prior to feeding the tank I have been adding 7-10 drops of Kent Garlic Xtreme to the water to try and get them in a feeding frenzy (hey it's worth a shot). It's funny because I just came 4th place in a pretty good sized poker tournament but I'm 100x more stoked about this! Oh, and the coolest part, I do see him picking a stuff on the rock, however he hasn't even taken a second look at SPS, zoas, blastos, acans, favias, ricordea etc. I'll keep you guys updated...

[Travis]

I've read through every post in this thread and haven't heard a single report of anyone's regal eating or picking at sps. Has anybody observed this behavior in their regals?

I'm considering trying a regal after I had a bad experience with a recent attemp at a juvi emperor. I QT'd it for 6 weeks and then the day I put it in the tank it did a real number to several sps corals. Ended up having to tear down the entire 280 to get it out.

[Aquaduck]

I've had mine in the dispplay tank for 3 weeks now and it has not touched any SPS at all. It has however eaten all the smaller zoos but leaves the larger button polyps alone. It takes the odd bite out of some pulseing Xenia polyps. Some of my pulsing Xenia's look like they're flipping me the bird now. All of these types of softies I don't perticularly care for anyway. The Regal really likes to nibble on the sea squirts and sponges I have growing all over the tank. She's eaten some patches but they are sprouting up in other areas of the tank. Especially in the substrate. I figure the sea squirts go through the Regal's digestive tract and somehow manage to re-grow out of the feces. :p

[mmmmsushi]

I think my Regal thinks she's all domesticated and stuff....

She has yet to touch anything in the tank other than the food I put in. Including various sized Zoos and even some sponge that is growing in a little cave. Whenever she sees me she rushes to the front of the tank and tries to get my attention.

I did try some blackworms a couple weeks ago. She didn't try them until a few days of all the other fish eating them. Now she goes crazy over it.

[Project Reef]

Yes! The little guy is now aggressively taking in flake food (formula 1).

[malegolf]

I can't get mine to eat anything but Mysis, I've tried several flakes, oyster, squid. I may get a clam and try that, it did clean up my zoo's. I feed three small fish and the Regal a cube of Mysis each day, plus some flakes, not much though. Is that enough food for them?????

Thanks

[jjjimmy]

Hi all,

I am looking to get a Regal angel but I am concerned on getting it to eat prepared foods. I am going to be getting a couple of ball sponges for him to feed on to hopefully give it some time to get used to being in the tank and prepared foods.

My tank is a 180 SPS dominant tank. (3) 250 watt hqi's with (4) 110 watt o3 vho's. Tank has been running for over 1 year and all parameters are in check.

I would like any and all advise on what to do to get him to accept prepared foods.

thank you,

Jimmy

[mmmmsushi]

IMHO, I would start feeding him the food that you will be feeding him on a regular basis. I've found some fishes don't like to change once they've found a food they really like. Some Regals will eat like pigs and some are very picky.

If you get a Regal make sure he's eating first. I've had some fish that I've not added any special food to entice them to eat. They will not touch anything for a day, perhaps, and then start to eat. I've been VERY lucky in this respect.

On the other hand I have one fish that will eat nothing but very live food. He used to pick a little on the rocks, but now he waits for living black worms, and ignores everything else.

[orangereefer]

After bout 3 weeks in my tank, my regal finally started eating. I was so worried and already considered him a gonner. I'm so stoked he finally ate.

He's now eating free floating frozen food. He's not the fattest specimen in my tank but hopefully over time, he'll eat everything I give him. At one point I bought a sponge but didn't really touch it.

I'll post pics shortly when he gets a little fatter.:D

Mel

[HOZERTHEBONEFISH]

I am picking up a red sea regal that is eating mysis currently from a reputable shop this weekend.

It is a small guy around 2.5-3 inches I have been told. With some juvenile markings(false eye near tail).

I need some advise/recommendations from the panel regal experts.

My current tank is a 46 bow +30 sump, SPS clam set up with exception of one red goniopora and few ricordeas and carpet anemone. I have very hungry, fat fishes which are 1 yellow tang(2.5 in) , pair of saddle backs(2 inches each), blue damsel(2in), C argi(1.5). Stable parameters, thriving coral/fish.

I have a cycled tank in my basement which is a 90 gallon aga standard tank with good paremeters(0 ammonia) but with very little inhabitants.(my future frag/back up set up)

My question is:

Do I remove the clowns and carpet?(Is the regal doomed?...I have a night light and all the inhabitants have not yet wandered into the carpet yet)

Should I remove the yellow tang/argi/damsel to give the regal chance to eat some food in the beginning?

Thanks in advance

[Aquaduck]

In my opinion a 46 gallon is way too small for a yellow tang let alone a Regal Angel. Keeping both together in such a small tank will be asking for trouble. You would be better off leaving the Regal for now. Get a larger tank 90+ gallons and let the tank mature for at least a year to get lots of sponges, sea squirts, and other organisms growing for the Regal to much on.

[MrMongoose]

46 is too small for sure, I don't even feel confortable with mine in a 65. Hold off on the Regal until he can go in a bigger tank. That is the one thing about this thread I don't like....thier has been alot of success on THIS thread however the majority of these fish die. I think alot of people are reading this and don't really know what it take to keep a this fish for starters....
-A Diet that is better than your own.
-Preistene water quality, N02, N03, Ph04 all 0
-High current, these fish live in areas of SPS and like the achillies tang they require a high amount of flow to do well.

My buddy works at a LFS they have a Regal right now...mainly I think it was ordered because I got mine to survive...anways its going on a week today and it hasen't eaten. It has ick on its tail and slowly but surely I think it will die. My friend said that a lady came in yesterday who had just setup a 125G system ONE WEEK ago and wanted to buy the Regal because her husband saw the fish on a cover of a book.....no research, no comprehention of the requirements of the fish and, no idea that she would be trying to keep one of the hardest fish in her pathetic setup. Needless to say the fish wasn't sold to her.
I could never work at a fish store I would be telling people off all day long.

[HOZERTHEBONEFISH]

thanks for your help. I will wait

[Purple Haze]

How many different varieties of foods are you Regal owners feeding?

[moonpod]

Typically, actually not a lot of variety. Mysis is the staple. Dulse is the macro I usually feed. Every now and then I get angel formula and trigger formula, but the staple is definitely mysis.

[Purple Haze]

Live, frozen or a combo?

[malegolf]

I've tried several different types of food, so far mine will only eat Mysis..... Good choice the Regal would not have made it very long in a 46g tank, I would say at least a 100g or more for them to be happy..........

[moonpod]

My mysis come in frozen flat packs....

[mmmmsushi]

I feed mysis flake, Deli flake, Garlic flake, Formula 1, Trigger formula, Angel formula, Live black worms, and frozen clams.

She'll eat all of that, but likes the black worms, garlic flake, and mysis flake the best.

She doesn't touch Nori I put in for the tangs.

[szwab]

just curious as to how many have quarantined their Regals and how many have not.

thanks

[mmmmsushi]

I did not QT my Regal. I was too worried about stress on the fish in a steril looking tank. She ended up getting some Lymphocystis but that didn't last long. I think my neon gobies took care of it.

[MrMongoose]

I also did not QT my mine, infact I didn't even let the LFS put it in one of thier tanks, I took it home right from the bag :) I feed mine a combination of Green/Red Alge, Squidd, and Mysis, treated w/ garlic or selcon.

[Aquaduck]

I feed mine: Cyclopeze, Mysis, Hikari Mega Marine Angel, and brine shrimp. I feed a variable combination of any three of these a day in small amounts. I try to feed at least 4 times a day but no less than 3 times. The Regal won't touch the Nori that is hung in the tank for the yellow tang but readily eats algea growing on the glass. She has learned how to be more agressive when it comes to feeding time by virtue of the other "fast" eaters in the tank. Fortunately most of the sponge material in the Hikari floats and the other fish leave it alone so the Regal can eat in peace.

[mmmmsushi]

Aquaduck... How large is your Regal? When I put cyclopeze in my tank, it's like she ignores it. I figured it was too small for her to care.

[Aquaduck]

I'd also like to add she eats various sea squirts I have growing in the tank and likes to take the odd nibble on pulsing Xenia. I'd remove those Xenia weeds if my Regal didn't like eating them. The sea squirts have not been totally consumed though. The Regal seems to know enough not to pick the whole colony clean and this gives them a chance to re-grow before being eaten again.

mmmmmsushi, she's about 4.5" long. The first few times I put Cyclopeze in the tank she ignored it. She observed the other fish going crazy for it and decided to try it. Now she eats it without hesitation.

[Aquaduck]

I QT'd mine for only 3 days and treated it with copper. Then I read how copper can interfere with a Regals ability to taste food and the last thing I wanted to do was have her stop eating. The fish had been the solitary occupant in a tank for 6 weeks in a before I got it in a tank by itself. So I thought I would take a chance adding it to my tank. I'm glad I did becuase she immediately took to grazing on my live rock and sponges.

mmmmsushi, what are these "black worms" are they a marine organism? If so where do you get them?

[mmmmsushi]

My Regal was in a display tank at my LFS, and she was showing signs of ich. They put her in a medicated (non-copper) tank in the back for over a week before I took her home. The most amazing thing is she isn't eating the sponges in my tank.

Black worms are not a marine organism. In fact they only live for about 30 seconds in the tank. But that is usually more than enough time for everyone in the tank to go completly crazy over them. As far as nutrition goes; I'm not sure. I know someone who solely feeds blackworms. I'm not sure yet so I still feed lots of other things as well. This guy actually orders them and I split it with him. They come from Aquaticfoods.com.

[malegolf]

The fish store held mine for about two weeks before I brought it home.... The first one I got a day or two after the fish store got it, and it went straight to the bottom under rocks and never came out. I think the fish store had the 2nd one calmed down and was feeding it, made the difference.

[Sandslug]

I just found this thread, good one.

I had a regal for two years, 'til I moved too far to take it along. It was apparently the Pacific variety, as it had a light gray belly.

It nearly starved at first, a whole month before it took any added foods, just grazed what it could. Finally, it started eating mysis, about a month after that it would try other foods. By the time I had to give it away, it was well filled out, and an agressive eater. Formula 1, Formula 2, Angel formula, Sea Veggies (red flakes), chopped fish and shrimp, dry flake food.

It was in a 75 gallon reef that also housed a haddon's carpet and saddle clown among other things. The clown kept it away from the anemone.

[Sandslug]

Oh, mine picked on a crocea clam enough that I had to move the clam to another tank.

[Aquaduck]

After living with a yellow tang for more than a month my regal has "learned" from observing how to eat Nori from a veggie clip. So far the only type I have tried is the brown Ocean Nutrition type.

So here is a list of frozen foods my regal is now eating:

Cyclopeze
Hikari Mega Marine Angel (I feed this one the most, contains sponges)
Mysis shrimp
Brine shrimp
Nori (brown)

Any other types of food I should be offering?
She was eating freeze dried blood worms at the LFS :rolleye1:
Should I try frozen blood worms? Are they nutritional?

[moonpod]

mysis and the hikari is enough. That and some nori or dulse. blood worms IME really pollute the tank. For convenience sake, I would work a little on getting 'em to eat a flake. When I'm out of town or in a hurry mine gets the prime reef flake. Seems to really like it actually.

[Aquaduck]

Thanks Moonpod. I'll try introducing some OSI marine flake.
What is dulse?
Flake would be good to put in an autofeeder but on the downside most flake food ends up floating and going into the sump.

[moonpod]

dulse is a dried seaweed i get at whole foods. It's also available at www.seaveg.com. Non processed vs nori which is processed a little bit.