Regal Angelfish

Care

This beautiful fish is challenging to maintain in the home aquarium, and is not recommended for beginners. The tank must be large and well established with an abundance of live rock. A decent current is preferred. In the wild, the Regal Angelfish feeds on sponges and tunicates, so frozen rations specially prepared for sponge-feeders should be considered an essential part of the diet. There are two distinctive colour morphs of this species, which also vary in their relative hardiness. Specimens from the Red Sea and Indian Ocean have a yellow chest area and are generally of a brighter overall appearance. Specimens from the Pacific area, however, have a blue-grey chest area and are traditionally regarded as less hardy, perhaps because of historic transport or collection methods in those locations. Best kept singly, with no other angelfish species. Boisterous tankmates absolutely must be avoided as these may cause the Regal Angelfish to hide away and lose out at feeding time.

Feeding

Can be reluctant to start feeding in captivity and any prospective purchases should be seen eating before being introduced to the aquarium. Ensure that they are homed in an appropriate environment (see above), and offer a wide variety of foods including a quality dry food, fed in small amounts several times per day. Frozen foods specifically formulated for sponge-feeding angelfish should be offered wherever possible, along with Mysis shrimp, vitamin-enriched brineshrimp, chopped clam/mussel/cockle/crab/shrimp/squid, and greenfoods such as Nori etc.

Breeding

Unknown.