Re: Pygoplites diacanthus article question...  3/1/07
I'll ask them this.  Really disappointing if LiveAquaria is selling something they shouldn't.  I thought they were supposed to have a good reputation.  They charge a lot of $$ money too.
<I am in agreement with your action. I too have had a high opinion of the company. Perhaps this is a simple mistake. Bob Fenner>

Re: Pygoplites diacanthus article question...  3/1/07
http://www.liveaquaria.com/diversden/ItemDisplay.cfm?ddid=17002&siteid=20
They're selling another one now.   This one says Soloman Islands.  What is Western Pacific?
<You're joking?>
You mean like Hawaii?
<What? This is in the Central Pacific>
  Or does it go all the way down to right around Indonesia and the Solomon's are really right on the dividing line between W.P. and the Indian ocean?
Seems like the Indian Ocean is sort of around Australia very tightly and south of that only.
<... BobF>

Pygoplites diacanthus  - 10/28/06
Crew,
<Dan>
Good evening.  I have been researching Pygoplites diacanthus and I have a few questions about them.  I would like to add one to my 200g tank.  The tank is lightly stocked with plenty of live rock.  I understand that these fish usually have a poor survival rate, but I have heard of success stories.
<Yes... more so with specimens of "about the right size", from further into the Indian Ocean...>
  My tank has been up and running with no prob.s for over two years now.  I also understand that they will fare much better with plenty of live rock and hiding spaces.  My question is; how to quarantine this fish in a 20g QTank with no live rock?  
<No reason why such a specimen can't be placed in isolation with LR...>
Should I purchase and cure live rock just to put in the Qtank?
<Could/can use from your main/display tank>
  I always used aged water from the tank for the Qtank, but will this fish survive for a month in the small barren Qtank?
<Can move... dip along the way if "things" go sideways>
  Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated.  Thank you for your help in this matter and all the other thousands of questions that you answer.  Keep up the good work.
<We're trying. Bob Fenner>
Thanks again,
Dan

Solomon Island Regal Angel ... sel.  6/29/06
Hello crew,
<Eric>
I found this fish on the internet, a Solomon Island Regal Angel.  The seller of this fish claims: "A simply gorgeous and hardy Angelfish that
does well in most reef tanks. They eat all types of food and are exceptionally beautiful---a great fish to keep!!!"
http://www.pacificeastaquaculture.com/Detail.aspx?ID=2913
<The ole Doc Mac co.>
I am not total sure on this fish, but I was under the impression that they were hard to keep and didn't accept most fish foods.
<... depends>
Is this Solomon Island Regal Angel different than the one discussed on your webpage at http://wetwebmedia.com/marine/fishes/angels/pygoplites/index.htm
Thanks for your help.
Your site has really helped me and my tank.
Eric V
<I am much more inclined to encourage you to buy such species "close to home" where you can be self-assured of health, behavior, particularly that the animals are feeding on foods you intend to offer. And I stand by my general statement that Pygoplites are much hardier coming from further west... in the Indian Ocean, best from the Red Sea. Bob Fenner>

Pygoplites diacanthus/Feeding   1/31/06
Hi y'all. Steve Campbell here from Manchester England. <James here from a similar weather pattern.>
Just been following the thread on Regal Angels. I've had one in a 120g for around a year (yellow belly if that's relevant!) I was really pleased he's  
growing and plump and eating whatever I feed him/her?). That's pellets, krill, Mysis, clam, cockle, angelfish frost foods etc etc, soaked in Kent Zoe  &
garlic extract. I've just read on WWM that this is actually an illusion,  and that really, he's going to die within the next 4 years of a nutritional  
deficiency!? Please, other than feeding him goldfish food(!?) or taking him  back to the Red Sea, what are the chances of him seeing Arnold Schwarzenegger in  the
Whitehouse??? Gulp! <Getting a regal from the Red Sea is the first plus and I congratulate you on your success.  Most don't survive a month.  Keep records on feeding/etc and keep us posted as you go.>
Great site chaps, keep it up! <Thank you and good luck with your regal.  James (Salty Dog)>

Regal Angel Feeding Strike  11/30/05
Hi Bob,
<Actually Adam J with you this evening.>
I have recently bought a 3 inch , Red Sea regal angel. 
<Beautiful but notoriously short-lived fish.>
It looked very healthy, active, full belly, however, it hasn't started feeding yet. I see him picking at the live rock, I had him for about 4 days.
<Pretty normal thus far, specimen is likely still adjusting.>
I know it is not an easy fish to keep but do you have any suggestions on how to temptate him to eat???
<<No such word as "temptate", let's try "tempt".  Marina>>
<Fresh market clam and scallop meat (freeze first to prevent paraotes/bacteria)
<<To prevent what..??>>
and then soak in nutritional supplement such as Selcon.>
My tank is a 150 gal reef tank and up till now, he has been a good citizen and he hasn't touched any of my SPS corals neither the clams. 
<No quarantine?>
I hope this behavior won’t last.
<I would not panic just yet.>
Thank you .
Ramy
Ontario, Canada
<Welcome, Adam J.> 

Regal Angel, Reef Safe? 8/7/05
In your opinion, is the Regal Angel a reef safe fish ??? I have 2 different opinions. one says it is reef safe provided that it is well fed and the other is that it is not safe in a reef setting.
I have 150 gal, SPS tank with a few clams. Thank you, Ramy Banoub.
<Hi Ramy - Ali here. As with any angel, the chance of finding a totally "reefsafe" specimen is always hit and miss. It is impossible to say for sure whether your angel will go around systematically picking at your treasured "reef" animals or if he will act as a perfect 'angel'. From personal experience, I have had two Red Sea specimens: one which never looked twice at a coral and another which continuously picked at fleshy LPS corals and decimated the snail population. It is also not uncommon for them to suddenly change their behavior and acquire a taste for corals seemingly out of the blue. Additionally, this is also NOT an easy fish to keep. During the past year, from what I have seen at the wholesalers and retailers alike here in Southern California, is that not only is this fish is arriving with more frequency, but fortunately they appear to be more vibrant, alert and with full bellies. Perhaps better collection and shipping methods. Even with this said, I would only recommend this fish if you are an experienced reef/fishkeeper with a large aquarium with plenty of established live rock, who is able to locate a Red Sea/Indian Ocean specimen, under 3" that is eating prepared foods in advance. - Ali>

Mixing 2 juvenile regal angelfish
Dear Mr. Bob Fenner
Hi my name is Ignatio from Indonesia. I have 2 juvenile (2.5 inches each) regal angelfish in separate tank (@ 100 gallon) and would like to mix it in 1 tank and I have done it with no success. The bigger one is always chasing the other one.
<Yes... very common>
So I still want to try it and need your suggestion if it is possible because I often saw in many LFS in here can mix it into one tank.
<Can sometimes be done... larger tanks are better... by either adding both simultaneously... or adding a larger one later... or sometimes by using a separator for a week or so...>
Should I take out these 2 fish for the temporary moment and after several while put it again together in one tank??
<Yes, one approach>
Note: all my regal has been living in my tank for over 2 months now and accept the food already.
Again, I have also a Sea Lilies (the green one) and has been living in my tank also for 3 weeks. I heard this species is difficult to maintain so what do you suggest for this one (the food, how many times for feeding it etc)
<This is posted here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/crinoids.htm
and the Related FAQs, linked above>
Note: Recently I cultured the phytoplankton (Iso) by myself and feed it with this plus the Liquifry Marine from Interpet. Is this enough?
<Might be... along with live rock, sand use. Bob Fenner>
Best regards
Ignatio

Regal Angel input - Another "Do My Work For Me!"
My daughter is doing a project on the regal angelfish and she needs to find out where she can get information on where?
<On WWM, the Net... fishbase.org... Pygoplites diacanthus... put the names (common and scientific) in your computer search tools...>
and when do they sleep? and what it eats? and who it's enemies are? also if you could tell her why? the regal angle fish is important to it's ecosystem? and why should it be protected? so please could you help us find the research answers we need ASAP today if  possible
<Answers? This isn't research... search... Bob Fenner>  

Regal Angel
Hey WWM Crew,
I'm the guy who used to ask you guys questions on my little 25G like every week but now I've upgraded to a 100G coral tank with hard corals e.g. Acros, Montis, frogspawn, Hammers and a couple of softies from my old tank. Now I have no fish and one hell of a copepod collection. My tanks been set up for about 8 months and I've had no ammonia  for a VERY LONG TIME!!!
I've decided that my tank's a little empty so I want to get a Regal Angel to add a bit of life...I've been doing my research and I've read that RA are notoriously difficult to keep... but I really want ONE big show fish for my tank and all the people that I have spoken to recommend one of these fish. 
I've grown up quite a lot in terms of experience and I feel that I can keep one of these fish alive. The RA that I've been looking at getting is eating pellets and is doing really well and if I do get one of these fish I'll be sure to give it a VERY varied diet as to provide the correct nutrition. 
Now if I where to get one of these fish and its eating and I put it into my tank with all my corals, would it eat my corals if I feed it a lot of the correct stuff and if it where to eat my corals what corals would it eat?
<Steven, I suggest you read the info on the link that I will give you. It will help you better understand the needs of these fish. If you are new in the hobby, the regal wouldn't be my first choice. So please read here. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/fishes/angels/  James (Salty Dog)>

Killing another Regal Angel
I purchased a Regal angel about a week ago, when I bought it, it was eating but not really attacking the food. I took him home cause for the first time I had seen one as small as him about 4 inches. Now he will not eat and is scratching all the other fish look great. the tank is a 75 gallon with live rock. I talked to a local wholesaler he said I could bring him in to put in one of his large holding tanks would this be the best move at this point.                   help Ron
<Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/index.html
Use the search tool or indices to look up re Regals, Pygoplites... their care... not easily kept... save yours. Bob Fenner>

Reef safe angel
Hi Crew, <Hi Greg, MacL here with you today.>
Hopefully you can clear-up an angel fish question for me…  I have always read that angel fish (except for some Centropyge) are notorious coral nippers but I have recently noticed what appears to be a Regal Angel (Pygoplites diacanthus) in reef aquariums in Eric Borneman’s book on aquarium corals. <Nice fish aren't they? BUT sadly I wouldn't call a regal reef safe, the reality is that angel fish are all over the reef because that is where they feed.> Is Pygoplites diacanthus generally considered reef-safe? <Nope.>
Do you have an recommendations for attractive reef-safe angels, not of the Centropyge genus?  I had to remove my Centropyge argi due to it nipping my Lobophyllia. <I have heard that swallowtails are relatively reef safe, please note the word relatively. I currently have a Maculosus angel in my reef but let me stress this, as he has aged he has become less and less reef safe. It truly depends on what you keep in your reef and your individual fish. As a general rule the Genicanthus Angelfishes as a whole are considered fairly reef safe but they are also considered fairly delicate.>
I would also like to keep a copper banded butterfly in my reef tank but, from reading the many postings on WetWebMedia, I still cannot draw a conclusion regarding whether or not these are reef-safe.  The answer always seems to be “That depends upon your definition of reef-safe”.  <That is because some fish work just great and others are just terrors in the tank.>By  “reef-safe”. I mean is a copper banded butterfly likely to cause stress or
shorten the life of soft, SPS or LPS corals or of a bubble tip anemone (and possibly snails and cleaner shrimp). <They might very well eat the anemone. Its been known to happen.> What is you opinion or experience?
One other problem could be the several tangs and the maroon clown pair in my tank.  Is a copper band butterfly likely to co-exist well with such fish in a 180g aquarium? <Usually that isn't a problem.>
Lastly, I would like to add a few Heniochus if I could just locate any that are reef-safe <I loved my Heniochus.>(if I cannot add a copper band B/F). I can only locate Heniochus acuminatus but I have read that only Heniochus diphreutes is reef-safe.  Could you suggest where I might find Heniochus diphreutes (unless you disagree that H. acuminatus is not reef-safe)? <You can try www.themarinecenter.com, but I have never had any problems with any Heniochus. Once again though, its really individual fish.>
Thank you, in advance, for the “butterfly brush-up”!  <You might take a look at Scott Michaels latest book on angel fish for more detail and please let me know what you decide. I could talk angel fish for days and days, they are truly amazing and gorgeous, glorious fish. Good luck Greg, MacL>
--Greg

Re: Regal tank
Thanks
You Rock!  Thank you for all of your answers! << We provide very few answers, and very many guesses.  I hope we helped. >>
Aloha from Hawaii,
Dawn
<< Blundell, jealous wishing he was in Hawaii >>

Regal Angel Enquiry
Hi Wet Webbers... <Hi Brett, MacL here with you today.>
Just a simple enquiry.  Are Pygoplites (Regal) angels reef safe? <NO they aren't, no way no how>  Can I trust one in my soft coral/coralline algae tank? <NOPE>
I understand their natural diet is supposed to be tunicates and sponges.  Sadly, here in Thailand fish sellers (I use this term as most know little or nothing about the creatures they sell and are just out for a quick turn over of stock with little care for the animals in the time they are in the shop/market) feed their reef fish brine shrimp and nothing else.  I am not sure if this is due to the belief they are nutritious or just that fish seem to relish them.  As long as it is eating, will a regal eat other more beneficial foods with ease when I get it home or is it likely to be a struggle to get one onto them after prolonged feeding with brine shrimp. <Regals are very difficult to get to eat so if you have found one eating that's a good thing. It needs more nutritious foods and it does need the tunicates and sponges in order to stay healthy and live a long and fulfilled life without dietary deficiencies.  You can however get these in some types of angel formula foods.  Regals are one of the toughest of the large angels Brett but very pretty fish for sure.>
Brett Moloney
Bangkok

Regal Angel 
Hi, love the sight!<Thank you, so do I!> 
I have a 5in Moorish idol that I had for over 1 1/2 yrs. I want to get a juv. regal angel . It has been at the LFS for 7 weeks and is eating well so (I don't see that to often) I want him! tank is 135 gal. my question is : will regal pick on idols filament? have a cleaner that picks all the time with no affects! have another question<He shouldn't pick on the idol's filament but you sill need a larger tank in the future.> 
How can you tell if a juv. Emp angel is from the red sea?<I couldn't tell ya but I bet you could find something on our website or try a doing a search. Cody> 
thanks, Bart

Feeding a Regal Angel
If I could get the angel to eat a polyp would it be more apt to eat other stuff once it was eating something in captivity?  I'm willing to try if it could work.<With a Regal Angelfish I would be tempted to try just about anything in order to keep it alive. I do not know if this will work or not but its worth a shot. Good luck, IanB>

Regal Angels
Bob I have been keeping marine fish for over 30 years I have had my own store. I have always wanted to keep or try to keep regal angels and Platax pinnatus. I just moved my collection of angels to a 210 gal and everybody is happy and doing fine except my regal angel. I have lost three trying to get them to eat. The other angels don't really bother them. I would see them take a little frozen brine but not enough to keep them alive (any ideas?)
<Try one from further (west) into the Indian Ocean, if you can from the Red Sea... much more likely to accept foods, live>
I am converting their old 80 gal bow front to a reef tank and am wondering if a pinnatus all by its self would survive.
<Doubtful... most all refuse food... some positive correlation with starting small (less than hand-size) and force-feeding initially... see articles by Jay Hemdal re>
If you have any advise on getting it to eat that would be great! Also after the bat is comfortable and secure and eating could I introduce a regal to that tank (I wouldn't care if eats some coral or picks at my live rock) Its so docile could it mix with the pinnatus?
<Not in this small system>
Thanks Kirt
<Bob Fenner>

Regal Angels eating Goldfish pellets?!?... and someone hasn't been taking their meds 6/21/03
Could someone please kindly advise Mr. Anthony that his flippant attitude really does your website no good:
<I realize that this is your perspective. Duly noted... will post on the dailies for peer review/consideration in the absence yet again (!) of a question from your harassing e-mails>
Anthony wrote:
    "But do keep all in perspective. After 4 messages and your claims of having the secret (feeding and stocking... your message 3) to keeping obligate coral feeding regal angels... you still have not shared your wisdom/secrets with us. I really haven't the foggiest clue why you wrote in or what/if any your question was. The link you clicked to reach us said "ask the WWM crew a question..."
<yes... and I'm still wondering what your question is. I'm long since convinced that you simply lack a dog to kick... very glad for the Canids of the world>
The ***secret*** was shared back in 2002 with Mr. JasonC:
<and this was not mentioned once in your last tirade of correspondences to us here at WWM... did you expect me/us to have the entire 300 meg of text on the site committed to memory?!?!?>

My Gray bellied Regal Angel...Greetings Mr. Fenner!
<<Greetings, Bob's away diving - JasonC here in his stead.>>
It's been a while since I sent my last email. Just FYI my gray bellied Pygoplites diacanthus is still alive and kicking
and is getting fatter than ever. <<Glad to hear.>> It has totally weaned itself off of live stuff and now it's staple diet consists of dried brine shrimp plus flakes, freeze-dried brine shrimp
sometimes soaked with Selcon, krill (must be hand fed or it won't eat!), and large goldfish pellets. <<Interesting. I'd love to see you move away from the brine shrimp, even with the Selcon and what not, they still aren't worth much more than potato chips. Think Mysis shrimp!>> I truly think that the key to keeping a regal is to make sure it recovers from the shipping trauma and that it is not harassed by any fast-moving tankmates during the first 3-4 weeks. Once it shows some interest in food it should survive. <<Not really much different from what we tell anyone who asks. Thanks for sharing.>>
Cheers, -Johnson <<And cheers to you, J -- >>
And Yes my Regal angel is still "dancing the samba".
<glad to hear it... but you have sent 5 messages without asking an intelligent question, and want us to praise you I suppose for being lucky enough to have a Regal angel still breathing on a diet of Goldfish pellets and brine shrimp in your care. I'll ask you again to please re-read the link (slower if you have to... well post tutorial graphics if need be) that says "Ask the Crew a Question" if you intend to send a sixth message about your sheer luck, the Grace of God and the poor fishes in your charge. Don't go away mad, mate... just go away <G>. Signed, and sincerely... the marine Nazi>

Re: Regal angel- The fish will die, the thread will not part IV
Is everyone at Wet Web like this?  
<not at all... one might fairly (if favorably) describe my style as no-nonsense and blunt/straight-shooting... sardonic if not witty on the unfavorable side of the coin <G>. Lucky you. I am also defensively outspoken about intelligent people (you) promoting unconscientious aquarium keeping (still you). No leopard sharks in 200 gallon aquariums, no mandarin dragonets for new aquarists, and no encouragement for the wholesale promotion/purchase/slaughter of obligate coral polyp feeding fishes (ahem... you again). To be clear... I believe the regal angels should be collected for passionate enthusiasts that will responsibly make a concerted effort to keep them (perhaps you... or could be). What I cannot abide by is the flip promotion of them as "easy" to the masses (especially beginners) if you know the "secret"... ironically guarded (non-existent IMO) in this case.>
My goodness, this flippant attitude is really insulting.
<it sincerely is no one's intent to insult you, John. But do keep all in perspective. After 4 messages and your claims of having the secret (feeding and stocking... your message 3) to keeping obligate coral feeding regal angels... you still have not shared your wisdom/secrets with us. I really haven't the foggiest clue why you wrote in or what/if any your question was. The link you clicked to reach us said "ask the WWM crew a question". Do you have a question about aquaristics that we can help you with? If so, we can have another mentor on this board assist you, as I suspect you would prefer. If instead you simply want somebody to post that your regal angel is over one year old or dances the samba in eager anticipation of feeding time, let me encourage you to direct such expressions to the message boards. Anthony>

Gray Bellied regal angel still going strong
Hello my friends at WetWebMedia,
<Salutem dicit>
Please kindly post this on the FAQ.  I really hate to see fellow aquarists not knowing how to acclimate Regals and killing them, and all naysayers out there badmouthing this species.
<Will do>
Would you like to see a video of my regal taking pellets from my hands?
<Okay>
I firmly believe that the trick to keeping Regals is getting it the right tankmates.
It's been over a year I have had my grey bellied Regal (apparently from the Philippines).
These days I have been feeding it with only Hikari Cichlid Gold Pellets and "Brine-Shrimp-plus flakes".
Only very occasionally do I feed him 1 or 2 pc.s of shrimp.
He did not grow in my 55 gal tank but I am able maintain the plumpness of his body.
A few months ago I introduced a small 2" P. passer into the tank and I notice that the regal does not like to compete with the small angel for food.  I ended up moving the passer away to the big tank.
That said, I think the regal really needs to be the dominant fish, regardless of size, in a tank for it to do well.
Cheers,
-Johnson
<Thank you, Bob Fenner>

Gray Bellied regal angel still going strong?
Would you like to see a video of my regal taking pellets from my hands?
http://66.7.238.212/regal/regal1.AVI
http://66.7.238.212/regal/regal2.AVI
http://66.7.238.212/regal/regal3.AVI
cheers,-Johnson Wu
<Thanks kindly for sharing, mate. And I certainly do hope the best for you and this traditionally delicate fish. You need to understand, though (as so many aquarists commonly mistake) that the problem with this fish is not that it won't eat in captivity... but that they don't survive on captive diets, Some hang in for a year or more before dying of a slow dietary deficiency despite feeding ravenously! Several species of Angels are on record for living over twenty years in captivity. Your Regal will be a wonder if it even sees five years old, frankly. Forgive me for the buzz kill... again, grateful to see this fish feeds very well for you. But do consider what the real nature of the problem is with this and such delicate captive candidates. What is the test of time in this case? Still alive after 6 months? One year? All pale compared to the potential lifespan of this coral/invert feeding angelfish. Best regards, Anthony>

Re: Regal angel still going strong? The fish will die, the thread will not 5/19/03
Biggest problem I see is that most authors say that it won't feed.
No!  This species does feed, and throughout the last 20 years of
keeping marine fish I have had much better luck with Regals than with
those damn potter's angels!
<we have different research/literary and practical experiences then, mate. Just how many angels have (!) you kept in the last 20 years. The implication of your very own statement is that you have kept many/enough to speak with experience and authority. I think you have just proven my point (having had more than a few angels die in your care in 20 years in contrast to their actual captive lifespans... see Frakes 1991 for some amazing/inspiring captive angel longevity records). And you still haven't mentioned the age of your present champion (months I suspect). Aquarium lore and wives tales talk of these fishes not eating. Real world experiences in aquarist however speaks of them slowly dying of a dietary deficiency (they do eat, yes!). I talk of this a bit in my BOCP1 Volume 1 (p 429- chapter: The Responsible Aquarist). I wish you the best of luck nonetheless... only proffer the rest for having seen too many aquarists like yourself, perhaps, mislead themselves and kill animals needlessly in the process. We will not encourage aquarists to keep this fish casually on WWM. We do thank you for your input and perspective though. Regards, Anthony>

Re: Regal angel- The fish will die, the thread will not part III- AKA..."I'm not dead yet" [insert Monty Python "Holy Grail" skit voice HERE]
Anthony, In response to your sarcasm "The fish will die, the thread will not 5/19/03" I am amazed at how judgmental you are as a researcher.
<as they say... "If you throw a stone into a crowd of dogs, the one that yelps is the one that got hit." Sounds like you are yelping to me, bubba. Don't shoot me, I'm just the messenger. You are the one promoting coral-feeding regal angels for casual community tanks. And I cannot fairly claim to be a researcher by vocation, BTW>
How many Regals have YOU tried to keep other than dumping
into holding tanks with other species and let them fade?
<Zero... none... zippo... nada... niente. I practice what I preach and have never done such an irresponsible thing.>
Have you tried keeping them with the right tank mates
and offer them the right food at all?
<well, heck... since you have the magic recipe for regal angel food and the magic list of tankmates (bizarre claim BTW... what are you smoking?)... don't be tight... Send us more than that tease of a video. Enlighten us all.>
One response to a poster I see that you or your team saying that
it is normal for them not to feed.  
<neither you, I, nor this website is fixed in time. Do be realistic here. This site is over 300 megs and has thousands (!) of pages. With over 10K unique ISPs every day and hundreds of answered e-mails weekly, it is thankfully in a state of evolution. Things change... things become outdated... and we simply do the best we can. This site, in the opinion of many, serves the overwhelming greater good. Your fixation on one reply of thousands, and acceptance of it as gospel, is indicative to me of narrow focus>
I am trying to tell others a method to get these delicate fish to feed, and yes I believe I found the right foods for them.  
<and that recipe is...... oh, no... and invitation to part IV>
As you can probably see in the video mine has not lost
body mass in the past year and a half he's with me. -Johnson
<it must be because he's with you. Glad to see you are so passionate about this species. A magnificent fish indeed. Regards, Anthony>

How many eggs do regal angelfish lay at once?
<Please see fishbase.org under Pygoplites diacanthus, and further from there re this species reproduction. Bob Fenner>

Marine fish Enquires
<Hi Edwin, PF here this evening>
I have recently acquired a Regal Angel (Adult 4 ") and I have noticed that it has not been eating. Instead, it swims vigorously from 1 end of my 5 ft tank to the other end. What can I do to encourage it to show more interest in eating? I feed an assortment of brine shrimp <brine shrimp are pretty much shrimp flavored water, and of little, if any value as food>, lettuce <this is a poor choice of greenery, you want something that comes from the ocean>, pellet food from tetra <a better choice> and Mysis shrimp <a much better choice>.
<Well, you've acquired a challenging specimen to keep. Here's the FAQ on these guys, please read and follow the advice. As for veggies, remember "ocean greens" from the LFS are the same thing as sushi Nori from the grocery, only a lot pricier. Here's the link: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/fishes/angels/pygoplites/ >
Secondly, I have 2 Firefish <These are planktivores, make sure your food is small enough to be easily eaten. Sweetwater zooplankton, a commercially available marine fortified daphnia mix, is very good, if you can get it.>, a coral banded shrimp and a red sea crab that have been hiding for the past few days <I rarely see any crabs, and the only reason I know my coral banded is around is the occasional glimpse of antennae, have you tried viewing them at night?>. They have not been eating and I have not seen them at all <Well, not seeing and not eating are two different things. I wouldn't be surprised if they were eating after lights off, actually I'm 95% sure they are>. How do I know if they are still alive ( especially for the crab whom I have no idea where he has disappeared to. )? How can I lure them out to feed? <I think your best bet would be to feed shortly before lights out, and then come back in 1/2 an hour or so. Using a flashlight with a red cover over the lens can help too.>
I am worried that they may starve to death as they do not come out to eat during feeding.
Is their behaviour normal? <Unfortunately, yes.>
All the other fishes are extremely excited during feeding with the exception of the Regal Angel and the Firefish.
Appreciate your assistance.
Regards
Edwin
<Well, I hoped that helps. Please right back if you have any more questions, PF>

Look Out, Sponge Bob!
Could I buy live sponge and cut it up and freeze it then thaw little pieces for feeding for my Regal Angel?
<Yikes! I sure wouldn't! First, it would be a shame to slice up a living sponge that basically went through hell just to get to the LFS! Second, some sponges may be toxic, so you'd have a hard time knowing which one to chose. Finally, I think it would just be cost-prohibitive. Much better idea to purchase a supply of a frozen food containing sponge, like Ocean Nutrition's "Angel Formula". It's readily available at most aquarium shops, or can be ordered on line from some of our WWM advertisers>
I was thinking of taking the little pieces and placing them in a veggie clip mounted on the side of the tank. Do you think he would feed off it? Would I gain success? Please respond back soon.
<Well, I really think that your fish would be better served (no pun intended!) with one of the prepared frozen foods, as mentioned above...You certainly could place it in a clip, but it may be easier just to chop up the cube of food and feed it carefully with a toothpick...>
P.S. I am the guy with the Philippine Regal which is already starting to feed on frozen food. Sincerely, Chris Faiola
<Ahh, yes- I remember! If this guy is eating frozen food already- then you're almost home free...Definitely, try the "Angel Formula"-I think it's a great food! Bon Apetit! Regards, Scott F>

Getting It Right With A Regal
Thank you from your last response on the clown trigger. I really appreciate this.
<Glad that we were helpful to you!>
I absolutely love your web page because all the details that you put into your articles.
<We love writing 'em and sharing /learning with our readers!>
So I didn't buy the clown trigger, but as my last fish, I purchased a small regal from my buddy Brenda at Greenwoods Pets and Plants.  She had quarantined it for several weeks when she got it and then she put it in her display tank with a light copper mix solution.  She had it doing very well, it feeds great and is quite active. I found out its from the Philippines.  I bought it today and I placed it in my display tank and it looks great it acts the same as it did at her store. It had even started to feed just a couple of hours after I put it in.
<That's great to hear! Have the battle is getting a specimen that was properly collected, and begins to feed in captivity. Surprisingly, this Philippine specimen seems to be making it! Now, I still think that you should have quarantined it in your home for a few weeks, but at least your dealer sounds pretty conscientious...Watch the fish carefully>
The only thing that worries me is I saw a very small red dot on its tail( close to the body in between the ridges). It is barely noticeable.  What do you think that is?
<Well, it could possibly be parasitic in nature...Keep observing it carefully. You may want to try a rather simple series of freshwater dips to see if this has any positive effects...>
What food would you recommend I feed it so it doesn't develop any deficiencies and instead becomes a long lived fish?  
<A varied diet, with lots of fresh seafood, algae, and sponge. Ocean Nutrition's "Angel Formula" contains sponge, and would be an ideal food to form the basis of his captive diet. Good diet, excellent water conditions, and low stress will keep this fish in great shape.>
Also one other question: My porcupine puffer is occasionally grabbed by mouth of my lion fish and then is released.
<Wow- not too nice of him>
I have notice on one of his fins some patches that look like scabs like as if he injured himself. I've seen it before and it seems like it goes away on its own.  What do you think that might be?
<Again, hard to say without seeing the fish, but it may just be some "bumps and bruises", so to speak, from his encounters with the lionfish...Keep a close eye on him to make sure that they do not become infected, or cause some other discomfort for the fish. Take action if it becomes necessary>
Thanks so much for all your help. Sincerely, Christopher Faiola
<Glad to be of service! Good luck with your Regal! Scott F>

Regal Angel- Seeking source for Maldives or Red sea? - 2/17/03
Where does a company called ERI obtain most of their Regal Angelfish? Please respond back soon. Thank you.
<Like most wholesalers, they have sources all over the world and can literally get them from 4-6 locales and perhaps three times as many collectors. Availability changes from week to week. If you are pursuing a specific race as we recommended before, you will need to consult your dealer who can see and choose the locale of the fish ordered from their stock list. As a warning, it is not uncommon in the industry from fishes not listed by locale to come fro the Philippines (and now Indo too). These are often the cheapest of the choices... and are not listed because of their reputations for weakness or drug-caught symptoms. Ask your pet store to simply order a Maldives or Red sea listed specimen. Please also spend several more weeks or longer researching the captive care of this very challenging fish. Anthony>

Regal Angel... picking the right kind 2/16/03
IM REALLY INTERESTED IN BUYING A REGAL ANGEL, HOWEVER I DO UNDERSTAND HOW HARD THEY ARE TO TAKE CARE OF.
<Actually... the problem with them is a matter of dietary deficiency... most are obligate coral polyp feeders>
I HAVE A FRIEND WITH A PET SHOP THAT CAN ALMOST GUARANTEE GET THIS FISH TO EAT.
<This is a common misconception about Regal angels and other challenging fishes. The problem is not getting them to eat. Many or most will eat in captivity with a skilled aquarist acclimating them. The problem is that they do not survive (!) on captive foods. They hang on for a few months... even a year or two for some before dying of a dietary deficiency. We do not/will not recommend this fish for captivity for casual aquarium keeping>
FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS OF MY FRIENDSHIP SHE HAS PURCHASED SEVERAL OF THESE FISH AND HAS NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS GETTING THIS TYPE OF ANGEL TO FEED.
<Agreed... and if he's had one live 3 or more years then that's the man to talk too... seriously <G>.>
IF I HAVE IT FEEDING WELL ON SEVERAL KINDS OF FOOD WHAT ARE ITS CHANCES FOR SURVIVING?
<Actually... if you really admire the fish and are willing to set up a species tank... with a good bit of live rock... and let it mature for at least 6 months without any fishes in it to develop sponge and algae growth... then I can recommend that you specifically get a Maldives Orange-throat Regal... or... a Red Sea Regal angel. From these locales, they have been demonstrated to eat more algae and non-coral matter and actually survive long-term in good hands. If you get a cheap-o common Regal angel (Philippines, Indo, unspecified... essentially: without the citron/orange throat/breast)... then you have my assurance that it will die within a year, if not weeks>
HAVE YOU EVER OWNED ONE?
<yes... on good advice from a friend to get the Maldives variety>
PLEASE RESPOND BACK SOON. THANK YOU.
<best of luck. Anthony>
* note: please be sure to avoid typing in SOLID CAPS when posting a message to anyone via e-mail (hard to read, courtesy, etc) Thanks.

Red Sea Regal
Dear Mr. Fenner (or whomever is answering this):
<<Hi Charles, Craig here>>
Love your web site. I check it almost every day. <<We love that!!>> I'm very interested in this beauty (the regal angel). I've successfully kept (>8 yrs) an emperor in the past, but since had to move, ran out of time and energy, and just now I am getting a FOWLR up and running. The tank is quite mature now, but fishless. There are several cleaner shrimp, and an assortment of snails, hermits and what not in the tank. Water parameters are spotless. I was contemplating ordering and waiting for (since I don't think that they have one now) a red sea regal angel from the marine center. They claim to quarantine their fish prior to shipping, and seem to have a good reputation. I've been underwhelmed with my LFS (Los Angeles area). Anyway, I wanted your thoughts on what is needed to be successful with this fish. My current tank is a 4x2x2 foot tank (?120?) with about 120 of LR all on one side
of the tank. The other half is open for swimming. There is about a 4 inch sand bed on the open side, with a variable height on the rock side. Tons of circulation, EV-180 skimmer. Macroalgae in the tank, seems to be doing OK, but probably needs more feeding to the tank. I am adding a refugium to the system as well. So I think that I've got the environmental issues down ok. I'm curious as to what sort of tankmates and food and whatever else is important for long term success with this beauty. Future tankmates that are contemplated are a semilarvatus butterfly, four line wrasse (quadrilineatus), MAYBE a purple tang, and some green Chromis vs. some squamipinnis Anthias for a shoaling effect. Thanks in advance,
Chuck Moon
<<Please check out this excellent link, should provide all of your answers. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/fishes/angels/Pygoplites/index.htm Avoid similar body shapes with tank mates and perhaps introduce the smaller/less aggressive first. If your angel shows aggression to tankmates or vice-versa do remove them before it's too late. Check out this link http://www.wetwebmedia.com/stocking1.htm and those at the top of the page for more info on stocking. You can also search WWM for any of your stocking options and find all you need. Sounds like a nice system. Make sure your angel is eating at the dealer before you purchase. Enjoy, Craig>>

My Gray bellied Regal Angel...
Greetings Mr. Fenner!
<<Greetings, Bob's away diving - JasonC here in his stead.>>
It's been a while since I sent my last email. Just FYI my gray bellied Pygoplites diacanthus is still alive and kicking
and is getting fatter than ever. <<Glad to hear.>> It has totally weaned itself off of live stuff and now it's staple
diet consists of dried brine shrimp plus flakes, freeze-dried brine shrimp sometimes soaked with Selcon, krill (must be hand fed or it won't eat!), and large goldfish pellets. <<Interesting. I'd love to see you move away from the brine shrimp, even with the Selcon and what not, they still aren't worth much more than potato chips. Think Mysis shrimp!>> I truly think that the key to keeping a regal is to make sure it recovers from the shipping trauma and that it is not harassed by any fast-moving tankmates during the first 3-4 weeks. Once it shows some interest in food it should survive. <<Not really much different from what we tell anyone who asks. Thanks for sharing.>> Cheers, -Johnson <<And cheers to you, J -- >>

Re: My Gray bellied Regal Angel...
Thanks for the quick reply!
<<My pleasure.>>
From what I read in the ingredients, brineshimp plus flakes aren't really brine shrimp but contains quite a bit of fish meat. Anyway my regal no longer eats live brine even when I feed it. It is quite a strange fish in a way that it prefers dried food over live now. I tried frozen Mysis but it only casually eats them, so I am sticking with krill. <<Well, I would still try it from time to time.>>
Here's what the manufactures claim re: Brine shrimp plus:
INGREDIENTS: Whole Salmon, Halibut, Black Cod, Seafood Mix (including Krill, Plankton, Crab and Clams), Brine Shrimp (Artemia), Whole Herring, Wheat Flour, Mussels, Sea Urchin, Fresh Kelp, Wheat Gluten, Corn Gluten, Hydrolyzed Krill, Dried Kelp, Brewer's Dried Yeast, Soybean Meal, Crayfish Digest, Potato Flour, Wheat Germ, Salmon Egg Oil, Lecithin, Beta Glucan, Potassium Sorbate, Natural Pigments (for color enhancement), Astaxanthin, Beta Carotene, Canthaxanthin, Vitamins, Amino Acids, and Trace Elements.
GUARANTEED ANALYSIS: Crude Protein (min) 50.5%, Crude Fat (min) 10.3%, Crude Fiber (max) 2.0%, Ash (max) 8%, Moisture (max) 8%.
<<Be that as it may, compare the actual weight per price with the brine-shrimp plus frozen cubes, you are getting raked over the coals when you buy flake foods. On top of that, dried flake foods are still not unlike potato chips regardless of promises and guaranteed analysis on the label - they've been dried out, and much of the actual valuable nutrition went out along with the water. Work with the fish to get it onto frozen foods and a more balanced diet than just one or two things. The hard work will pay off, as keeping a Regal angel healthy is an ongoing challenge. It sounds like you're off to a good start. Cheers, J -- >>

Re: My Gray bellied Regal Angel...
<<Greetings, JasonC here...>>
Thanks for the kind advice and encouragement.
I'd like to try Oxymonacanthus longirostris again. <<Hope you have a good crop of Acropora for this...>>
I just went to Tokyo and saw one in a small tank by itself in the Sunshine city aquarium and it's fat! <<That doesn't speak much to what they were feeding or how long it had been there.>>
Somehow my past experience is that they will feed:
brine, Hikari marine S, and OSI flakes but they still die
after getting emaciated. <<A very common experience.>> Is there really no hope for them at all? <<They only eat Acropora polyps... so in an aquarium without these, they are doomed I'm afraid. Cheers, J -- >>

Regal Angelfish
Anthony,
<cheers>
My other half is nuts about the new tank, thanks for your input to make it possible. Now the dilemma, we have a hand feed Imperator that ready to change but since he love to eat corals ($$$$$) we are forced to find something to replace him with. 
<unfortunate... a beauty>
I have been reading up on Regals and it seems that of all the large angles they are least likely to eat all the replacement corals
<I strongly disagree... even with Maldives orange throats or Red Sea races>
($$$$ this get expensive). I know that Red Sea specimens are the best but any new and improved foods or care recommendation. I've read Bobs take on them in CMA, please give me any updated information on these guys.
<I seriously doubt that you will be happy with this fish... they are categorically quirky and challenging... with little guarantee of being reef safe. A beautiful fish... but not reef safe. Is your goal here to have a big angel or just a well behaved angel? Most of the Pomacentrids are a clear risk once any of them gets over 4-6". If your tank is at least 100gallons and/or 6' long, do consider Genicanthus species of Angels. Best of all worlds: med/lg, beautiful, peaceful, reef safe planktivores. Two disadvantages are shyness/ sensitivity (although no worse than the Regal) and need for large aquariums>
Thanks
Mark Johnson
<best regards, Anthony>

Re: Regal Angelfish (marine stocking)
Anthony (Mr. Speedy),
<Have you been talking to Kara? I could not resist making a crack. Steven with the follow up.>
Thanks for the input. Next question, Purple tang and Chevron in a 180?
<It can be done. Add them both at the same time. QT as always.>
Thanks, Mark
<You are welcome. -Steven Pro>

Frayed Fins and Regal Angel
Hey Guys, Hope all is well? 
<Cheers, Gillian... wishing you the same in kind. Anthony Calfo> 
I have a question about my regal angel, which I have had for over a year now. I noticed about two weeks ago that the regal fins (pectoral, dorsal and tail) has began to fray. Kind of like something has been taking little bites out of it. I have been watching to observe aggression form other tank mates, but has seen none. I am wondering if its a disease and anything to cause concern. It not very bad, but just unusual for this beautiful fish. He eats ok, any I have observed no other problems at this time. All foods are soaked with Zoë, Zoecon and garlic extreme. Please offer any advise. 
<I have several things in mind. The first is that the symptoms are a secondary infection expressed by a compromised immune system from a limited diet. It is so very common with this fish. Problems with Regals like many other challenging species in captivity is not that they don't eat, but that they don't survive on what they eat. The ones that survive initial import will live for 6-12 months on prepared food before dieing of complications from a dietary deficiency. This would be a very likely problem in your case especially if you do not have a Red Sea or Maldivian species (the Orange-throat Regal). It is wonderful that you soak the fishes' food in vitamins, but if the fish is only eating one or two foods (guaranteed the case if one is brine shrimp) then the fish is dying like most. The captive diet just cannot replace the wild one thus far with this species and we are looking at the culmination of attrition from a net daily deficit in appropriate nutritive sustenance. Now if this is not the case and your fish is eating 4-6 or more foods (most anything you put in like a clown or tang) then we should look at a curable pathogenic organism. Regardless, I would advise you to remove the fish to a quiet QT tank and be prepared to use antibiotics (but no copper). Even "Quick Cure" or Formalin would be therapeutic >
Thanks, hope you all are having a good weekend. 
<best regards with this beautiful fish. Anthony>

Check out my Gray-bellied Regal
Hi Robert,
If you get a moment please check out my regal angel flick: http://www.snoopy.org/fish3/fishfeed.mpg
Last November I had a wipeout when I was on a business trip. (Eheim 2229 died and 1 powerhead went out). It killed my old Maldivian regal angel and I was very sad. Took me a while to stock the tank back up and I found a gray bellied regal @ the LFS. Took a chance and I must say it's a miracle.
Just want to share my delight with you. -Johnson Wu
<There are always the few that make it through the collection and shipping, but they are the extreme minority. Do keep us posted on your fish and how it does long-term. -Steven Pro>

Re: Frayed Fins and Regal Angel
Hi Anthony,
Thanks for your reply. Mine is a Red Sea regal angel and a feed the variety pack of frozen foods. 
<good to hear it!>
Formula I, II, Brine shrimp, Reef formula etc... you know the rest better than I do. Occasionally I offer live mussels as a treat. I really think it's getting a fair mixture of foods, as the frozen variety package offers a couple, I try to feed different types each feeding, 
<overall sounds very good>
but in any case is their a specific type of food you recommend for this species, even a home made formula. 
<no definitive recipe out there that I know of... do keep up with the variety and look over the thread on favorite homemade recipes in the forum as well as in Bobs book CMA and archives on this site. Homemade foods can be superior!>
Also any specific vitamins besides Zoë and Zoecon that you recommend.
<I do not favor/disfavor either of the above. I have been very satisfied to use Selcon for many years>
The only other thing I can thing of is about 5 mths ago this fish had flukes which I treated and have shown no signs in recent times besides the frayed fins. Since my last email it has not gotten any worst but no better. Again it's not bad at all, but I pay close attention to any visible changes and act accordingly. I hoping I can save this fish without having to catch him out of the 125 gallon reef, to quarantine. For past experiences, it doesn't eat without having live rocks or familiar surroundings, so I am trying to avoid this. The fish still eats very well I feed once per day and it grazes an algae and other critters from the live rock. 
<you might try Metronidazole in the foods then (Seachem sells it in dry powder to add to food)>
Some mornings I offer pellets, Kent has a new brand for herbivores and carnivores, I mix those two, but he doesn't care for pellets. 
<Nor do I for the brand/type>
My tank has been set up for about 18mths and I have had this fish for a little over a year. Hope this better helps analyze my situation. Thanks a bunch. Gillian
<indeed... our very best regards... and do use the Quarantine tank if you must... really a very direct and appropriate method of treatment. Anthony>

Quarantine Tank
Hello,
Hope all is well? I have a question, a couple of weeks ago I emailed you all and Anthony responded to my inquiry. I had to do with treating my Red Sea Regal Angel for frayed fins. Well Anthony suggested that a quarantine tank and formalin treated might do the trick and he thought it was due to a secondary infection. Well my question is how long can a 20gallon quarantine tank run with aqua Clear 802 power head. The primary purpose of treatment is to dose with formalin to rid the fish of any parasites, which might be causing the fins and tail to fray. Also to try to improve the fish's diet, by offering a variety of foods soaked with vitamins. The set up of the tank is water from the display tank, some small pieces of live rock which I know will die from treatment, but I am trying to keep the fish happy, as it doesn't eat if not around live rock. Some substrate (Crushed coral & live sand mix from display tank). Will the power head be enough for these conditions, for about a month or do I actually need a filter. Considering I will be feeding frequently and the fact that ammonia may increase from the live rock and sand dying eventually.
<Really not the best/most appropriate setup for a quarantine tank. Please read through this page http://www.wetwebmedia.com/quaranti.htm and some of the linked FAQ files.>
Also any ideas as to what foods to offer this species, it eats just about any frozen foods, but doesn't care for pellets.
<A mix of many different foods is best. You can read Bob's tips on these fish here http://www.wetwebmedia.com/pygoplit.htm>
thanks Gillian
<You are welcome. -Steven Pro>

Regal in Reef, gelatin in foods
Bob,
I have a 180 gallon reef that is about 4 1/2 years old. I have had a Red Sea Regal Angel in it for almost 8 months. It is outgoing, has not bothered any corals, clams or other inverts and is absolutely beautiful.
<The best source for the most beautiful, hardy Pygoplites>
Just a couple of questions. I feed it an assortment of frozen foods. These are mostly Ocean Nutrition Formula Foods (One, Two, Angel, VHP) and Prime Reef/Brine Shrimp Plus. My regal absolutely loves all of them. I feed a mixture of chopped cubes and Prime Reef at each feeding and the regal will actually pick the gelatin foods first and then the un-bound foods later. Since the regal and my other fish (Tangs, Pseudochromis, 6 line Wrasse, Hawkfish, Foxface) are in such good health I am reluctant to change anything.
What is your opinion? Why does your article recommend foods without gelatin and why are they much better for angels?
<The gelatin binder/s can be problematical with maintenance of captive systems, but are not really a major concern in/with systems that ARE maintained "properly"... Regular water changes, vacuuming of substrates, periodic use of chemical filtrants, "good" skimming... and good initial set-up, livestock selection... Taken altogether, gelatin, even the "sugar-based" supplements sold for vital this and that purposes are of minor consequence in such systems. One avenue for major improvement in systems such as yours is the periodic (every six months to a year) addition , supplanting of new live rock and calcareous substrate. I would do these in addition to what you already are doing with such success, and not worry re gelatin. Bob Fenner>
Thanks,
Dave Lishness

Flukes (and success with a Sweetlips!)
Hi Bob,
Happy new year, sorry to bother you so early, but I have a question. My Red Sea regal angel, for some time now I have noticed that every now and then gets some, splinter like white things from it's body, Sometimes from the head, or body. They stay on for about two days or sometimes as the day progresses they disappear. I didn't worry about it because the fish continues to be the beauty of the display. Normal behavior and eating as usual. Is there a cure for this, how can I treat it and will it eventually kill the fish. 
<Mmm, perhaps this is a trematode... I would try a facultative cleaner here... first a Lysmata species of shrimp... not likely to kill the fish outright (the flukes), but debilitating, perhaps disfiguring just the same...>
I was on the WWM last night and that how I kind of determined the fish as flukes. Please offer advice this is my most prized fish. Also, can adding copper to a system cause a fish to stop eating or not as much as before.
<Absolutely... copper cancels much of "smell, taste" sensations>
I added copper to my quarantine tank, which has a Sweetlips and Kole tang for ick. The Kole tang still eats, but the Sweetlips has stopped. 
<Yikes... Sweetlips aren't easily kept... as you know from looking over WWM no doubt... not good that yours has ceased feeding... would move it ASAP to a non-coppered, less-stressful setting>
He will put food in his mouth but not swallow. The ick has cleared it's been about 7 days now, do you think I should add carbon back to the system or do a water change. I think the copper has curbed his appetite. Thanks for the advice, Bob and hope all is well. Gillian
<Much to "judge" in the way of presumed benefits/risks in our hobbies... Bob Fenner>

Re: Flukes
So Bob, you're saying there is a possibility that the Sweetlips may not eat again.
<Unfortunately, this is the common plight: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/haemulid.htm>
I will remove the copper at once. Is there any way to totally get rid of flukes on the regal angel.
<Hopefully this is a digenetic species, needing an intermediate host species or two... and will "cycle out" on its own... otherwise the Cleaner may eradicate it>
What about good water quality. I have some cleaner shrimp, but they are lazy, they hide when the fish go next to them. I don't think they'll help. To me the flukes appear to be internal, when they pop through the skin of the fish. Are there any other treatment options for flukes. What do you mean when you say the fish will debilitated. I don't want this Bob, help me Thanks
<Not likely "popping out, through"... there are some chemical treatments, but I would try another cleaner... maybe a Larabicus wrasse... Bob Fenner>

Re: Flukes
Well it was about 3 inches when I got first. A lot of personality, that's what attracted me to it at first. It had been in the store for about 2 weeks before I got it and was eating brine shrimp. I am good friends with the owner of the store and always ask them to hold fish for at least a week before I take it home.
<A good practice>
Anyway I fed mostly frozen formula one and two, sometimes angel formula for variety. It would eat dried green sea weed. Sometimes live mussels for a treat. Didn't care for flakes or krill. 
<Me neither>
Liked a whole cube of frozen food and not crushed. Would eat from your hand or nip fingers when doing water changes. This is by far one of the most intelligent fish I have ever had. I would compare it to Oscars (freshwater) which I had for many years. This fish is now well over 7 inches, incredible growth rate and it now has brighter coloration. I really hope I can save this one. I haven't killed a fish in while. That would be tough. Let me know if you any more info. Gillian
<My fave source location. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/pygoplit.htm
Bob Fenner>

Regals
Hi! Bob,
As I go about planning for my tank I have some more questions for you. But first I hope none of your immediate family or friends were hurt yesterday. I believe most of us are still in shock and don't know what to make of all this yet.
<I am still... very perturbed... "if a clod be washed from "your country here" shore, it is the less, if a "person" is murdered thus, their death diminishes me for I am part of all humanity. Therefore send not to know for who the bell tolls, it tolls for thee". With apologies to John Donne's memory and misappropriation>
On to the fish question. I have been reading some good things about regal angels from the red sea. Can you keep a regal with a majestic in a 240, what about a regal, majestic and a Blueface in a 240 gal?.
<Better just two of these in such a size, type system. Can be done>
Other fish with them would be a copperband, a Betta, a pair of clowns, a snowflake moray and maybe a tusker.
Let me know what you think.
<A beautiful collection>
This tank is going to be connected to a 1000 gal tank that will have an emperor, Mac and Annularis in it. I am also planning on putting between 7-10 tangs in it. One of them will be a Sohal. I already have him and he is 8".
Will he kill the other tangs or in a tank that size the rest of the fish should be safe? 
<In such a size system, I give you good odds of mixing>
The tank is 15 feet long and four feet wide. I am going to try and set both the tanks up as reef tanks. I know the angels will eat some of the corals but that is o.k. I would like to keep them in as natural an environment as I can.
<I understand, and agree>
Once again I appreciate all your help.
<Thank you my friend. Bob Fenner>

Pygoplites/Reef Question
Thanks for your reply. I'm now comfortable with my Coralife 10,000K NO. Will try to consider CF but it is hard to obtain 5500 or 6500K. After thinking through your reply and going through your FAQs, I've come to the conclusion that the problem with my larger tank is either coral competition, (soft coral chemical warfare) or the bio-balls in my wet dry filtration producing nitrates. Will keep you posted after thorough investigation.<Does seem likely> was just wondering if in your part of the country, does aquarist have problems keeping the Regal angel alive. I've gone through many web sites and they always label it an impossible fish, next to the Moorish Idol. So far, I believe only "John Tullock" (hope my memory never fail me) was able to keep it alive and hand feed   the fish as featured in the aquarium frontiers web site. <The Pacific ones are mostly lost... probably 80-90% within a month... the Indian Ocean, Red Sea ones do much better... probably a good half live past three months... easily distinguished I'm surprised as I've kept this beauty for almost 2 years without problems. Here's my secret.  Choose a healthy and small specimen, preferably not more than 3 inches. The first two specimen, which is about 6 inches,  only lived for 1 week.  There must be live rock or decor to keep this fish calm in the first few days/weeks. My specimen only emerged out of the LR after 10 days to look for food.  Food is a big problem but the secret is in "Sanjay's" recipe. I modified it a bit and mainly use Squids, fish, leafy vegetables inclusive of stalk and V8 juice and blend them together, freeze it and the corals always perk up when I feed the fishes.Lastly, I must admit that the Red sea version of the Regal angel is definitely a much nicer than the ones from Asia. Hope this will encourage more aquarist to keep this beauty.;Thank you for this, will post in FAQs on the WWM site. Bob Fenner>

Regal angel
Ok, maybe I'm nuts but you say in at least two places on your web site that the regal angels from the red sea are "easy to medium" while else where you wouldn't even try them. I too have heard this. If this really is true, I would be like to know a red sea Regal's requirements in a home aquarium. Specifically, would a 4-5" one do well my 125 tank, it has been established for exactly 6 months and currently has a Maculosus angel, black durgeon (both at 5-6" w/the angel being larger than the trigger) and a panther grouper at about the same size who will in all probability be given to a friend. I've got an A-miracle filter and Venturi skimmer. Other tank mates would be a Sohal and purple tang added over the next 6 months. It has no live rock but the rock and fake coral that is in it has a nice layer of algae. I currently feed frozen prawns, angel formula, frozen shrimp, dried seaweed, frozen silver sides, and formula two. I feed twice a day on a rotation of different meaty foods but always angel formula and seaweed. I do 15 gallon water changes every 2 weeks with aged mixed water and baking soda. Tank temp- 80F, pH at 8-8.3, ammonia and nitrite- 0, nitrate at 12.5ppm (sometimes a little more), salinity is at 1.025 for the Maculosus angel. Would a red sea regal do well in this set up? I've have not had disease problems in this tank and I believe it is mostly due to the fact that I have chosen hardy fish and administer fresh water dips before putting a fish in. Would the regal and Maculosus get along? <no> Should I do more frequent water changes for the regal, I could step it up to weekly water changes? How aggressive is the regal? My current fish are moderately aggressive. Should I consider any new foods for the regal? I currently feed twice a day, once at 5:30PM and then again at 9PM, should I feed more often? Should I just not bother with this fish? 
Once again, I defer to your priceless knowledge and wish to share (your book is perhaps the real reason as to why I haven't had problems - Yaron Aronowicz
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Let's not get too carried away in the discussion of the Regal (Pygoplites)... as you should definitely just stick with the Maculosus in this system as a/the one large marine angel. The Regals from the Red Sea would do okay in all likelihood in the setting described... and they are not aggressive.
Bob Fenner

Regal angel fish
I was wondering why the regal angel fish is included in the restricted list? 
Is it that this fish has trouble eating etc.? Thanks
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Hmmm, I don't compile the list, but do have some idea of why this marine angel (Pygoplites diacanthus) may well be there: Historically the vast majority don't live in captivity... the ones from the Philippines in particular have dismal survival records... more than 90% dead in a month of collection... Why? Who knows. Most die mysteriously... from stress? Many refuse to eat... However, seemingly contradictory experiences can be found with the same species collected further into the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea... some of these are GREAT feeders, hardy and more beautiful than their Indo Pacific conspecifics.... At any length, I would only suggest the Regal for advanced hobbyists with large, established reef systems, starting with small specimens (4-5" overall length)... and coming from the I.O. or Red Sea.
My opinions.
Bob Fenner