Species Name : Pygoplites Diacanthus
Care Level : Expert Only
Temperament : Semi-aggressive
Color : Black, Blue, White, Yellow
Diet : Omnivore
Reef Compatible : With Caution
Water Conditions : sg 1.020-1.025, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size : 10"
Origin : Indonesia, Maldives, Red Sea, Tahiti
Family : Pomacanthidae
Minimum Tank Size : 125 gallons
The Royal Angelfish (Pygoplites Diacanthus), or Regal Angelfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a marine angelfish belonging to the family Pomacanthidae, and the monotypic genus Pygoplites. The Regal Angelfish is one of the most beloved marine and reef aquarium fish.
Most Pygoplites Diacanthus 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 several other variations in appearance; for example, Regal Angelfish from the Indian Ocean have yellow heads while Pacific varieties have bluish heads, and some have yellow bodies with white stripes. Juveniles look quite different from adults, with an eye spot near their dorsal fins.
A minimum of a 125 gallon tank with plenty of hiding places and live rock for grazing will offer a good environment.
Regal Angels are definitely not aggressive fish and do not fare well with more aggressive or larger fish in the same tank. The Pygoplites Diacanthus is more difficult to maintain than other species of angels so it should be introduced first so that it may stake out its territory in advance of other fish. The Pygoplites Diacanthus may nip at large-polyped stony corals, an occasional soft coral and clam mantles, but may be kept with small-polyped stony corals and somewhat noxious soft corals.
It is almost impossible to tell a male from a female Regal Angelfish, though the females are usually a bit bigger than the males.
The Pygoplites Diacanthus is not an aggressive feeder and does not fare well when competing with quick-feeding planktivores in a community aquarium. Choosing the proper tankmates for the Regal is imperative to its survival. To entice a Regal Angelfish to eat, use a diet of fresh shrimp and chopped seafood. The diet should also include herbivore preparations which include Spirulina and marine algae, and angelfish preparations containing sponges.
Size: Small/Medium: 2-1/4" to 3-1/4"; Medium: 3-1/4" to 4-1/4"; Medium/Large: 4-1/4" to 5-1/4"; Large: 5-1/4" to 6-1/4"
-
No questions yet
