Regal Angel Primer

[roni]

Awesome! I think when you've got them eating pellet, you're golden.

[LobsterOfJustice]

Been dreaming of a Regal since getting in to the hobby, finally got my chance a few weeks ago when I found one eating at an LFS. Within a few weeks he was eating out of my hand in QT! Moved him over to the display and he didn't miss a beat, was still eating out of my hand the next day. I wanted to wait to post the video until I felt like I was in the clear, and he's been in the display for a week now so I think I'm good. I'll try to get a short vid of him in the display tonight.

[SDguy]

Looks good! Nice and plump.

[bradleyj]

Peter, your regal looks fantastic. When do you plan to release.

[bradleyj]

You can see mine if you look hard enough.

[SDguy]

Originally Posted by bradleyj

Peter, your regal looks fantastic. When do you plan to release.

Thanks! I am not sure... I want him to be a little more aggressive when he eats. He's still in that "casually swimming by and eating the pellets as he sees them" phase.... I want him to bolt for them! Then I'll drop him in with the rest of the gang. I also need to get myself an autofeeder for the DT.

Your tank is looking amazing BTW!

[Dakota Reef]

Originally Posted by SDguy

I want him to be a little more aggressive when he eats. He's still in that "casually swimming by and eating the pellets as he sees them" phase.... I want him to bolt for them! Then I'll drop him in with the rest of the gang.

Funny Peter, I've been going through the same debate for the last few weeks. Six weeks ago I stumbled onto this guy at my local aquarium shop, still in his shipping bag.



I almost never make an unplanned purchase, especially with a tricky fish like a Regal but he was the perfect size and appeared to be in great shape. So I pulled the trigger and used my frag tank to observe him, get him eating frozen and run a course of Prazi. He came through it all without batting an eye but I was still worried about how aggressive the fish in my display get at feeding time. I was also worried about how my slightly larger Majestic Angel would react.

After a couple of days in an isolation box in the display tank I released him shortly before lights out. To my surprise my Potter's Angel was the one that freaked out. Eventually the Potter's managed to get my large, but usually mild-mannered Blonde Naso worked up to the point that even he was chasing the bewildered Regal. Turned out the lights figuring that I'd have to sort it out in the morning, probably temporarily removing either the Naso or the Regal.

But the next morning it was like they'd all been in the tank together for years. The Regal had a small mark on its tail from the previous night's skirmish but that has gone away. And to my surprise the Regal has decided to eat both large and small Spectrum pellets.

Hope my good luck holds, he's such a beauty.

[Ostara]

Whoops, I forgot to come back and update. First off, very nice looking regals everyone!

I got a 2" juvenile from NY Aquatics about three weeks ago now. It did have visible ich straight from the bag as well as flukes, which is course it is being treated for. It ate frozen food from the start (literally an hour after shipping!) and now goes after pellets with a vengeance.

Yesterday I picked up the 2 1/2" juvenile that had been brought up from LA for me. It is also eating frozen. I had an acclimation box and eggcrate on hand to introduce them whichever way worked best, but decided to let them "meet" face to face first. They swam up to each other to have a look and then swam into the same pot. Since then they have alternated between swimming together and ignoring one another. Several times the smaller one has approached the larger one with lowered fins and done the sideways submission move that I've seen my centropyge females do.

So far so good. I think the fact that they are both youngsters with their eyespots has helped a lot. Now I'm hoping that the larger regal will see the smaller one eating pellets and follow suit.

[Chicago]

it seems the regals are a little more easy going than other large anglefish..just my 2 cents worth.. my two are doing fine and do not bother each other.

[Chicago]

some regals, bandits and goldflake eating at the buffet table

Wait first need to learn how to post video

[Chicago]

[reefrf]

My first attempt at this beautiful animal. I purchased him 18 days ago. Doing well, but has not eaten any of the prepared foods I have given him. I'm assuming he's munching on stuff e.g. sponges on the rocks. Hopefully he begins eating soon.

Here's a couple of pictures.

[ace_92101]

Originally Posted by reefrf

My first attempt at this beautiful animal. I purchased him 18 days ago. Doing well, but has not eaten any of the prepared foods I have given him. I'm assuming he's munching on stuff e.g. sponges on the rocks. Hopefully he begins eating soon.

Here's a couple of pictures.

He's beautiful! Hope he starts earing prepared foods soon.

[albano]

Originally Posted by reefrf

Doing well, but has not eaten any of the prepared foods I have given him. I'm assuming he's munching on stuff e.g. sponges on the rocks. Hopefully he begins eating soon.

IMO, don't assume that he's eating anything, if you don't 'witness' it! These fish will starve to death. You need to try every food possible till its eating something!

[Chicago]

looks like you have two in there.. get some clam strips and nori.. and some pellet. roll the nori around the clam and NLS pellets and rubber band around a rock. put at the bottom of the tank. i am trying to post pics of what worked so far for my two.. got them eating.. how they take from water colum and top of surface. Good luck

[SDguy]

Originally Posted by albano

IMO, don't assume that he's eating anything, if you don't 'witness' it! These fish will starve to death. You need to try every food possible till its eating something!

Agreed.

I replied to your PM on SDR Ron.

[reefrf]

Originally Posted by Chicago

looks like you have two in there.. get some clam strips and nori.. and some pellet. roll the nori around the clam and NLS pellets and rubber band around a rock. put at the bottom of the tank. i am trying to post pics of what worked so far for my two.. got them eating.. how they take from water colum and top of surface. Good luck

Only one, that's a reflection. Thanks for the suggestion. I will try that!!

[reefrf]

Originally Posted by SDguy

Agreed.

I replied to your PM on SDR Ron.

Thanks very much Peter!

[reefrf]

Originally Posted by Chicago

looks like you have two in there.. get some clam strips and nori.. and some pellet. roll the nori around the clam and NLS pellets and rubber band around a rock. put at the bottom of the tank. i am trying to post pics of what worked so far for my two.. got them eating.. how they take from water colum and top of surface. Good luck

By the way. What are NLS pellets?

[Chicago]

New life spectrum. I forgot to add drop some garlic guard from sea chem on the roll after its rubber banded let sit for give min then put in tank

[reefrf]

Originally Posted by Chicago

New life spectrum. I forgot to add drop some garlic guard from sea chem on the roll after its rubber banded let sit for give min then put in tank

Thank you!

[reefrf]

Originally Posted by Chicago

New life spectrum. I forgot to add drop some garlic guard from sea chem on the roll after its rubber banded let sit for give min then put in tank

One more...these clam strips you're referring to... Where do you buy them? You mentioned about some pictures you may have?

[Chicago]

Trying to post pics , Clam strip from grocery or frozen fish food I think ..ocean nutrition has them. But store fresh sea food is good too

[jnc914]

Need some feedback from those with pairs of Regals...

After attempting the Regal Angel, and ultimately failing for one reason or another for the last 6 years, I have finally received 2 healthy and EATING regal angels. The first is a
4.25" Indo Blue Belly Regal that was obtained from Bluezoo Aquatics as I had store credit to use. The second I acquired as a complete fluke for an excellent price. I have a friend that owns an LFS and I had mentioned months ago I had been looking for a Regal. I got a call last week that the LFS received 2 true Red Sea Regals. I picked up a 5" yellow belly last week. Both are going through extensive QT in a 55 gallon tank separated by egg crate.

I made my first attempt to introduce the two Regals on Sunday, and needless to say it didn't go well. It started as tail swatting, and ended with the larger Regal shredding the dorsal fin of the Indo regal. I had to literally put my hand in and physically separate the two angels. The Indo's fins appear a bit better 2 days later and he is still eating like a pig. I have paired many angels in the past with great success (Bandit, Blueline, Goldflake, etc), but these two may prove to be a challenge. I had planned on adding them to my 180 gallon FOWLR. They would be the largest fish in the tank.

So my plan is to not introduce them together. Instead I am looking at adding the smaller of the two first so that it can stake claim on some territory and get comfortable. I will then add the larger a week or so later and see how the introduction goes. I have set my display up to where I can easily move certain rocks and can place egg crate in if needed. I was also going to to the mirror method for two weeks and see if that will alleviate some aggression.

Sound good, or is there a better method or process? Thanks in advance for any input provided.

[reefrf]

Originally Posted by Chicago

Trying to post pics , Clam strip from grocery or frozen fish food I think ..ocean nutrition has them. But store fresh sea food is good too

BINGO!! I threw some fresh mussels in there & he went for it right away!! I'll keep you guys posted! Also, I am going to doing the nori wrap as well.