| Regal (aka royal) angelfish or Pygoplites diacanthus | | | | order to insure its survival. Large angelfish are |
| are members ofthe family Pomacanthidae. There are | | | | notorious for their mortality rate in home aquariums. |
| 86 known species of marine angelfish belonging to 7 | | | | Reports and fish forums indicate that regal angelfish |
| different genera. This species is native to the tropical | | | | from the Red Sea have a higher survivability rate |
| regions of the Red Sea and Indo-Pacific. Large | | | | than those than those captured in Indonesia and the |
| populations of these shallow to mid-water dwellers | | | | Philippines. This is most likely due to techniques utilized |
| exist off the cost of Guam. They are one of the | | | | in the capture of these fish and improper shipping |
| most prominent angelfish on the Great Barrier Reef. | | | | and handling methods. Even the hardiest of large |
| These angelfish received their names from the | | | | angelfish have trouble acclimating to a life of |
| alternating royal colored striping pattern on their body. | | | | confinement. Most large angels, as is the case with |
| Although coloration varies, they are generally within | | | | regals, are not covered under "arrive alive" |
| the same spectrum. Their heads are predominately | | | | guarantees by many online retailers. Any species that |
| yellow with a subtle splash of orange for accent. | | | | can not be guaranteed to arrive alive should be |
| Their bodies are yellow or orange with light blue or | | | | purchased locally. |
| lavender vertical stripes outlined in darker variations | | | | This is an omnivorous species with definite |
| of the same color. Their posterior fins are usually blue | | | | carnivorous leanings. In nature their diet consists |
| and purple or yellow and purple with a solid color | | | | largely of sponges and tunicates. Their high mortality |
| caudal fin. What ever the variation, their colors | | | | rates are directly related to their reluctance to feed |
| emulate the look of European royalty from days | | | | in captivity. It is highly recommended that you ask |
| gone by. | | | | your local retailer to watch this fish eat before |
| Regal angelfish will reach an approximate adult length | | | | making a purchase. A fish that you know is already |
| of 10 inches. This is a semi-aggressive fish. It is far | | | | accustomed to feeding in captivity is much more |
| less aggressive than many large angelfish. It will not | | | | likely to do so for you. |
| tend to bully its tank mates. It will in fact fare better | | | | Once you bring your specimen home it may not |
| with smaller and more docile tank mates then it will | | | | readily acclimate to its new surroundings. An |
| with larger and more aggressive species. Even though | | | | abundance of well establishes live rock as a food |
| they are classified as a large angel fish, they mix | | | | source and plenty of other hiding places will aid in the |
| better with dwarf angelfish than angels of their own | | | | acclimation process. As is to be expected with |
| size. Keep this in mind when thinking about getting | | | | royalty, these are infamously finicky eaters. If your |
| one for your community tank. Whether or not they | | | | fish shows a reluctance to feed try tempting it with |
| are suitable for a marine reef aquarium depends on | | | | live brine shrimp. If this proves successful begin |
| its inhabitants. It will nibble on stony coral with large | | | | mixing flake or freeze dried food with the brines to |
| polyps, soft coral and clam mantles. It can however | | | | begin introducing it to non-live fare. Food preparations |
| be housed with stony corals of the small-polyped | | | | specially formulated for marine angelfish will make |
| variety and the more noxious soft coral species. | | | | sure your new arrival gets an adequate supply of |
| Regals will exhibit territorial aggression toward | | | | sponge matter in its diet. A varied diet will insure fit |
| members of their own kind but can be kept as a | | | | and vigor and help guard against nutritional |
| mated pair. A minimum tank size of 100 gallons is | | | | deficiencies. Fresh spinach mixed with finely chopped |
| recommended. | | | | seafood makes for a healthy well rounded meal. |
| This species requires an expert aquarist care level in | | | | |