The regal angelfish, scientific name Pygoplites diacanthus or royal angelfish, is a species of marine angelfish of the family Pomacanthidae, and the monotypic genus Pygoplites. It is present in tropical Indo-Pacific oceans. It can develop as long as 25 cm. In this article, I am going to talk about Regal Angelfish reef safe, care, tank size, juvenile, diet, facts.
Regal Angelfish profile
The Regal Angelfish Pygoplites diacanthus is likely one of the most hanging angelfish to behold. It will attain round 9.8” in size and is adorned with white and orange stripes edged in blues and blacks. The dorsal and anal fins are striped in blue and orange, and the rear portion of the dorsal fin is black with blue spots.
The tail is yellow and the fins are edged in a neon blue. These fish are fantastic to {photograph} within the wild, however sadly, they’re very tough to maintain and barely survive within the residence aquarium.
There are a number of variants in coloration kind relying on the hometown, however, all are equally distinctive. One is all yellow with white stripes. Another is strong yellow on the body with just a few black spots on the stomach and only some blue traces on the dorsal fin.
One of essentially the most fascinating varieties has all-white traces on the body creating what seems to be like a maze. Those from the Indian Ocean can have a yellow-orange head and breast whereas these from the Pacific might be blue-gray in these areas.
However, most of those variations are hardly ever, if ever seen in captivity. Other descriptive widespread names are Royal Angelfish, Empress Angelfish, and Blue Banded Angelfish.
Regal Angelfish Description
The body of the Regal Angelfish is reasonably elongate and may be very compressed. The preorbital bone convex and has no sturdy spines. There is 1 outstanding backbone at an angle on the preopercle. The ventral fringe of the interoperable is clean.
The eyes are reasonably small together with the mouth that’s terminal. The mouth can also be protractile. They have the most size of 25.0 cm. They have a complete of 14 dorsal spines, and 17-19 smooth dorsal rays. They have three anal spines and 17-19 anal smooth rays. They even have 16-17 pectoral-fin rays. Their caudal fin is rounded.
The exact coloration of this fish can range as regional variations can happen, most notably in populations from the Indian Ocean, Red Sea, and South Pacific Ocean. A commonality, nevertheless, is a body edged in slim blue-white and orange stripes which can be slim and angle backward.
The posterior portion of the dorsal fin is black or blue with close-set blue dots, and the posterior portion of the anal fin has alternating yellow and blue bands working parallel to body contour.
The caudal fin is yellow. Juveniles are colored with a big darkish spot on the basal portion of the smooth dorsal fin. They have been reported of dwelling for 15 years.
Regal Angelfish Distribution
The Regal Angelfish is broadly distributed all through the Indo-Pacific. The species may be discovered within the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean around East Africa and the Maldives, stretching to the Tuamoto Islands, New Caledonia, and Great Barrier Reef. The northernmost limits of its vary finish within the southern East China Sea around Taiwan and the Ryukyu Islands and Ogasawara Islands of Japan.
Colors and Markings
Most Regal Angelfish have orange and white stripes with blue and black edging. They have yellow tails; their anal and dorsal fins have orange and blue stripes, and the rear part of the dorsal fin is black with blue spots. is adorned with white and orange stripes edged in blues and blacks.
There are a number of different variations in look; for instance, Regal Angelfish from the Indian Ocean have yellow heads whereas Pacific varieties have bluish heads, and a few have yellow bodies with white stripes. Juveniles look fairly totally different from adults, with an eyespot close to their dorsal fins.
Regal Angelfish Tankmates
A reef-type aquarium may be very a lot most well-liked by this fish because it gives the rocky reef construction that the fish requires to really feel safe.
Combining Regal Angelfish with corals is all the time dangerous, however, they’re usually “safer” than most different Pomacanthids and even most Centropyge species. If a regal goes to select corals, it’s normally confined to a specific coral or kind of coral.
The alternative for the aquarist is then between protecting the corals or the fish. Regals usually ignore species however have been reported to select on sure large-polyped stony corals corresponding to Trachyphyllia or sure smooth coral corresponding to Xenia. Regal Angels which can be nicely fed are much less prone to enterprise in regards to the aquarium on the lookout for one other meal supply.
Regal Angelfish Habitat and Care
Regal Angels are undoubtedly not aggressive fish and don’t fare nicely with more aggressive or bigger fish in the identical tank. Other angelfish turn out to be an issue after they outgrow the Regal.
Placing two Regals in the identical tank normally doesn’t work nicely even when they’re of the other intercourse—which it’s virtually not possible to find out—and the smaller one is positioned within the tank first.
When buying a Regal Angelfish there are a number of “always” and several other “nevers” to remember. Always have the vendor present to you that the Regal is consuming within the aquarium (ideally on a number of events) before buying.
Never purchase a Regal on sale. It will usually be subpar and never in good health. Always purchase Regal Angels which can be caught from both the Red Sea or the Indian Ocean, not the Indo-Pacific as many of those fish are nonetheless captured utilizing chemical substances and won’t survive long. The value might be more, however, the finished product might be value the additional expense.
It is sensible to quarantine a brand new regal for a number of weeks before inserting it in your present tank. Regals don’t adapt simply to tank life and do not actually need the added distractions of different fish when they’re making an attempt to determine what’s and isn’t fit for human consumption.
Quarantine the brand new arrival in a 20-gallon or bigger tank (refugiums work nicely for this) till it’s consuming hand-fed meals nicely and exhibits no indicators of illness or parasites.
Smaller (juveniles of about 2–three inches) appear to adapt to tank life the best. They are too younger to be set of their methods however old sufficient to have survived the threats they’ve confronted.
Regal Angelfish Diet
In the wild, Regals graze on benthic invertebrates with a specific fondness for sponges and tunicates. In captivity, this fish ought to be provided quite a lot of meals to make sure that all the dietary necessities are being met.
While many aquarists have opinions on the perfect meals to supply the Regal, a diverse weight loss program consisting of meals corresponding to purple nori seaweed, Pro-V gelatin meals, Mysis shrimp, and chopped krill has been reported to work very nicely for this fish.
Pro-V is a frozen mixture of seaweed and greens in a gelatin base. Simply lower a slice of the Pro-V from the sheet and place it in a meal clip connected to the facet of the tank.
The Regal Angelfish shouldn’t be an aggressive feeder and doesn’t fare nicely when competing with quick-feeding planktivores in a community aquarium. Choosing the correct tankmates for the Regal is crucial to its survival.
Sexual Differences
It is sort of not possible to inform a male from a feminine Regal Angelfish, although the females are normally a bit greater than the males.
Regal Angelfish Breeding of the Regal Angelfish
The Regal Angelfish has been reported to spawn at nightfall or at the hours of darkness of the nighttime. The feminine performs a spiraling dance as she releases her eggs for fertilization by the male.
The eggs float to the floor the place they are part of the opposite dwelling matter within the plankton “soup” within the ocean. As with most different pelagic fish, only a few aquarists have reported any success in any respect with breeding this fish in captivity.
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Regal Angelfish Ecology
Pygoplites diacanthus happens at depths starting from zero to 80m, in coral-rich areas of lagoons, reefs, and are additionally usually discovered within the neighborhood of caves.
It is a carnivorous species that feeds on sponges and tunicates situated all through reefs and underwater caves. They are a non-migratory species that may be discovered solitary, in pairs, or in teams. The juveniles normally shelter in cracks and crevices.
In the aquarium
Though it faces challenges in captivity, a wholesome specimen that’s given the right setting will doubtless begin feeding inside days when fed quite a lot of dwelling, frozen, and flake or freeze-dried meals to entice satiety.
A hostile setting will immediately counter acclimation and feeding efforts. As such, large angelfish, triggerfish, puffers, in addition to some overly aggressive clownfish and surgeonfish ought to be avoided. Learn about Blueface anglerfish.