Regal anglefish

TD13 · 09/02/2007, 06:58 PM

Got a ? for people with some expericence with this animal or who just know about them. Such as are they reef safe, easy or hard to keep, agressive, invert safe all that stuff

vessxpress1 · 09/02/2007, 07:23 PM

I've never had the ability to keep one but I will someday. They are probably my favorite fish.

Word is, like most angels, they are very hit or miss. Many like to pick at SPS polyps, but it's the gamble you take to keep such a beautiful fish. I guess you have to decide what matters more to you.

A guy by the username 'Copps' (former TOTM winner) keeps 3 of them in his tank. He would be a good one to look up.

In the mean time, see here:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=758598

That should keep you occupied for a while.

HTH

Albright · 09/02/2007, 07:45 PM

I've only had mine for a few days but from what I have learned they are a fairly hardy fish just have a hard time adapting to your tank and aquarium life in general. A good specimen is key. If you can get one from a LFS that you observe eating something (on more than one occasion if possible) which you can provide for him long term that would be a great start.

From what I have read they will pick on clams and non-noxious softies such as Xenia and LPS such as brain corals. From what I have read they aren't commonly a problem with SPS.

I have only witnessed mine eating some of my Blue Clove Polyps which I believe are related to Xenia.

He eats mysis shrimp and half shell clams very happily so far. He spit out a flake of Formula Two.

Initially he fought with my PBT however that has subsided gradually over the past few days and the aggression was the PBT's fault IMO. From what I have read they can be semi-aggressive as adults but juveniles are fairly passive.

TD13 · 09/02/2007, 07:50 PM

ok i may not get one becasue iam trying to get a reef tank set up

szwab · 09/02/2007, 09:35 PM

they also know to like zoanthids. If you are just setting up a reef tank. I would recomend waiting until your reef is a matures. That will help increase your likelyhood for success. Regals although very pretty fish, are a difficult fish to keep especially long term.

rickytikki · 09/02/2007, 09:49 PM

I had one that had an awesome personality, but he ate all my zoos and helped another fish murder an open brain I had.

Great fish, though. I wouldn't trust him around corals. Once they get acclimated and feeding, they are a pretty straight-forward fish. I soaked his food in Zoe (like selcon) about every other day and he did just fine. Garlic guard got him eating in a hurry.

ReefDent · 09/02/2007, 10:04 PM

I also think a fairly mature tank is key. Many angels eat sponges, etc. in the wild and if things like that are growing all over your rocks, that is some good eats for the Regal.

I also think an already-eating specimen is key- mine was doing well for a couple weeks at the LFS...

Another thing that is key- make sure your return pump from the sump doesn't stop working, causing the fish to suffocate. I just had this happen a couple weeks ago. I lost a Majestic that I'd had for 3+ years (just about the smallest with full adult coloration I've seen), my regal of over a year- it had grown about an inch or so both in length and width, lol..., a pair of rhomboidalis wrasses, and a few others...

On the bright side, all the corals seem unaffected...

James

wooden_reefer · 09/02/2007, 10:29 PM

I have one for about two years in a FO tank.

It was about five inches, grew to six inches in about two years.

I will never keep a Regal again. That was a once in a lifetime experience.

Why? It was eating scallop and clam mixed with seaweed for about 21 months. Then for some reason it started to refuse to eat. It would dash forward, smell its usual food and then refuse to eat. It struggled for three months like that, become paper thin.

I believe it was not a disease. otherwise it would not have lasted that long with no infection and in good color until the end. It was a terrible experience for me. I will not go thru this again.

My be this fish ungoes natural dietary change in the wild.

Anyone have the same experience?

09/02/2007, 06:58 PM	#1
TD13 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 407	Regal anglefish Got a ? for people with some expericence with this animal or who just know about them. Such as are they reef safe, easy or hard to keep, agressive, invert safe all that stuff

09/02/2007, 07:45 PM	#3
Albright Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 169	I've only had mine for a few days but from what I have learned they are a fairly hardy fish just have a hard time adapting to your tank and aquarium life in general. A good specimen is key. If you can get one from a LFS that you observe eating something (on more than one occasion if possible) which you can provide for him long term that would be a great start. From what I have read they will pick on clams and non-noxious softies such as Xenia and LPS such as brain corals. From what I have read they aren't commonly a problem with SPS. I have only witnessed mine eating some of my Blue Clove Polyps which I believe are related to Xenia. He eats mysis shrimp and half shell clams very happily so far. He spit out a flake of Formula Two. Initially he fought with my PBT however that has subsided gradually over the past few days and the aggression was the PBT's fault IMO. From what I have read they can be semi-aggressive as adults but juveniles are fairly passive. __________________ John Current Tank Info: 120g Oceanic Tech Tank to keep me busy while planning a much larger system

09/02/2007, 09:35 PM	#5
szwab RC Mod Join Date: May 2002 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 15,225	they also know to like zoanthids. If you are just setting up a reef tank. I would recomend waiting until your reef is a matures. That will help increase your likelyhood for success. Regals although very pretty fish, are a difficult fish to keep especially long term. __________________ Mark "I got a fever, and the only prescription, is more cowbell" ~ Christopher Walken Current Tank Info: AGE 240 Flatback Hex

09/02/2007, 10:04 PM	#7
ReefDent Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Mansfield, OH Posts: 417	I also think a fairly mature tank is key. Many angels eat sponges, etc. in the wild and if things like that are growing all over your rocks, that is some good eats for the Regal. I also think an already-eating specimen is key- mine was doing well for a couple weeks at the LFS... Another thing that is key- make sure your return pump from the sump doesn't stop working, causing the fish to suffocate. I just had this happen a couple weeks ago. I lost a Majestic that I'd had for 3+ years (just about the smallest with full adult coloration I've seen), my regal of over a year- it had grown about an inch or so both in length and width, lol..., a pair of rhomboidalis wrasses, and a few others... On the bright side, all the corals seem unaffected... James __________________ Measure Twice and Cut Once!!! Current Tank Info: Amphiprion latezonatus!!! 75 gallon Oceanic Reef Ready + 150 gallon Rubbermaid sump and 30 gallon refugium; SPS, LPS, softies, crocea and maxima clams, assorted fish.

09/02/2007, 07:23 PM	#2
vessxpress1 Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: NW IL Posts: 1,603	I've never had the ability to keep one but I will someday. They are probably my favorite fish. Word is, like most angels, they are very hit or miss. Many like to pick at SPS polyps, but it's the gamble you take to keep such a beautiful fish. I guess you have to decide what matters more to you. A guy by the username 'Copps' (former TOTM winner) keeps 3 of them in his tank. He would be a good one to look up. In the mean time, see here: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=758598 That should keep you occupied for a while. HTH

09/02/2007, 07:50 PM	#4
TD13 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 407	ok i may not get one becasue iam trying to get a reef tank set up

09/02/2007, 09:49 PM	#6
rickytikki Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 126	I had one that had an awesome personality, but he ate all my zoos and helped another fish murder an open brain I had. Great fish, though. I wouldn't trust him around corals. Once they get acclimated and feeding, they are a pretty straight-forward fish. I soaked his food in Zoe (like selcon) about every other day and he did just fine. Garlic guard got him eating in a hurry.

09/02/2007, 10:29 PM	#8
wooden_reefer Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 4,670	I have one for about two years in a FO tank. It was about five inches, grew to six inches in about two years. I will never keep a Regal again. That was a once in a lifetime experience. Why? It was eating scallop and clam mixed with seaweed for about 21 months. Then for some reason it started to refuse to eat. It would dash forward, smell its usual food and then refuse to eat. It struggled for three months like that, become paper thin. I believe it was not a disease. otherwise it would not have lasted that long with no infection and in good color until the end. It was a terrible experience for me. I will not go thru this again. My be this fish ungoes natural dietary change in the wild. Anyone have the same experience?