Adding two Regal Angelfish that are different sizes at the same time should only be done in a tank that is a minimum 180 gallons.
Regal Angelfish Pygoplites diacanthus is one of the most striking angelfish to have in your marine saltwater aquarium. It will could reach upto 8” in length 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.
There are several variants in colour form depending on place of origin, but all are equally distinctive. One is all yellow with white stripes. Another is solid yellow on the body with a few black spots on the belly and only a few blue lines on the dorsal fin. One of the most fascinating varieties has all white lines on the body creating what looks like a maze. Those from the Indian Ocean will have a yellow-orange head and breast while those from the Pacific will be a blue-grey in those areas. However most of these variations are rarely, if ever seen in captivity.
As delicate as it is exquisite, this striped beauty is best kept by expert aquarists with very large systems. It is difficult to care for, reluctant to feed, and is very shy and reclusive. The aquarium needs to be very large, at least 100 gallons or more, with lots of rockwork for hiding places to make it feel secure.
The water quality must be pristine and have a pH of 8.1 or higher, as well as very stable temperature and salinity parameters. It is a finicky eater and needs sponge in its diet to survive. The ideal tank would be a reef setting with large established coral colonies. A very mature tank with lots of natural foods can help in long term survival. The best purchase size is 3” to 4” (7 – 10 cm) in length.
This is a very solitary species in the wild, they are rarely found in pairs. It is very timid in the aquarium, typically hiding from even semi-aggressive fish. Its tank mates need to be passive and it should be the first inhabitant added to the tank.
It cannot be put in a tank with any other fish that may threaten it, including even a perceived threat. Once well established they become bolder. Combine it with other angelfish with caution. Some specimens have been known to actually attack and chase aggressive Pomacanthus angels that were added later to the tank.
Adding two Regal Angelfish that are different sizes at the same time should only be done in a tank that is a minimum 180 gallons.
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