Identifying origin of a Regal Angel

[RxMike]

Hello

Is there any difference in appearance between indian ocean and red sea Regal angel? I am interested in a regal and might be purchasing one from NY aquatics. The specimen Michael has is from Sumatra. I have seen red sea regals that are absolutely gorgeous. Can't seem to tell if there is any difference in color.

 

[Dmorty217]

Yes the Red Sea has a reddish orange anal fin that's how you tell them apart

 

[sandwi54]

Depending on your experience level, you may want to consider deferring on a regal angel. It really is an "expert only" fish and most don't make it, even yellow-belly ones.

I also wouldn't get it from NY aquatics. Three out of the four fish I ordered from them died in a few days, and even their replacements died as well. One of the fish was skinny to the bones when it arrived and apparently had been starving for over a month. Many other hobbyists reported the same thing about NY aquatics. Do some research on this vendor before you decide to place an order.

 

[alton]

My male redsea I got from my LFS and it took 2 weeks to start to eat and now eats like a pig. I got a baby one from NYA (not redsea) and it did not ship well. I was given a store credit. Then I got a redsea juvenile from NYA 2 1/2" and it ate the second day and continues to also eat like a pig. My advice stay away from the med-large and the babys. Like most angels med-large juveniles to small adults seem to do the best? And both of my regals are well behaved in a 300 gallon reef tank

 

[MrTuskfish]

I avoid any fish any fish labeled as simply being from the Indian ocean or Indo-Pacafic. There are places in this region that catch and handle fish well; but if the orogin isn't specific, it sends up a red flag.

+1 on Sandwi 54's comments on Regals. These are much more difficult than many threads make them appear....probably because the dead ones are't on the thread. (Duh).

 

[SDguy]

I avoid any fish any fish labeled as simply being from the Indian ocean or Indo-Pacific.

Those are two very different things. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a fish originating from the Indian Ocean.

Also, regarding ID'ing a RS regal vs others, I really didn't think you can. From what I could tell, the really orange specimens are simply large specimens. I had a smaller Red Sea regal and it looked no different than any other yellow belly regal of that size that I've ever seen.

One thing I have noticed... certain regals from Africa (Sumatra in particular) appear to have very thin blue lines, relative to the yellow and white bands on their bodies. Not sure if that's a real thing, or I'm just imagining it.

 

[alton]

From Quality Marine my Adult male was labeled Redsea/Africa, from NYA my juvey was just advertised as Redsea? My juvenile is slightly darker orange than my male. I would think you have to trust those you buy them from. What is amazing is how many Redsea fish have now hit the market.

 

[MrTuskfish]

From Quality Marine my Adult male was labeled Redsea/Africa, from NYA my juvey was just advertised as Redsea? My juvenile is slightly darker orange than my male. I would think you have to trust those you buy them from. What is amazing is how many Redsea fish have now hit the market.

Its feast or famine with Red Sea fish. Much depends on the tension level in the Middle East. Fed-Ex won't fly into danger zones, I believe many RS fish leave from Yemen.

 

[Ambition]

Depending on your experience level, you may want to consider deferring on a regal angel. It really is an "expert only" fish and most don't make it, even yellow-belly ones.

I also wouldn't get it from NY aquatics. Three out of the four fish I ordered from them died in a few days, and even their replacements died as well. One of the fish was skinny to the bones when it arrived and apparently had been starving for over a month. Many other hobbyists reported the same thing about NY aquatics. Do some research on this vendor before you decide to place an order.

Couldn't agree more.

While I've seen other people on RC highly recommend NYA, I simply can't. My only purchase from them withered away over 3 months and never took to any foods I offered (scallop, clam, oyster, mysis, brine, ova, pods, nori, Angel Formula, various flake foods, etc.). I found the customer service to be lacking since I got no response via email, and my phone conversations didn't do much. I purchased a Centropyge deborae BTW.

 

[MrTuskfish]

Those are two very different things. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a fish originating from the Indian Ocean..

You're right, bad wording on my part. There are great sites in the I.O.; Christmas island, etc. I just avoid Indonesian (or"Bali") and Philippine fish. Both are often are labeled "Indo-Pacific".