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