Majestic Angelfish vs Red Sea Regal

[Opistognathus]

I am looking at either of these angels for my tank as the "centerpiece" fish. My tank is 125g, but I plan on getting a juvenile of either seeing as how they're slow growers from what I've read - if either grows too large, I'll move them out. I know they're both (esp. the Regal) not the hardiest fish, but I have really good filtration, etc. and my fish store doesn't sell fish until they're eating and healthy. What I'm wondering is, personality-wise in particular, which fish is better in your opinion/experiences? If it helps, this is an SPS reef - I'm not too worried about nipping. Thanks!

 

[Dr Colliebreath]

I too chose between those two fish as my show fish, in part for the reason as you note that they are said to be slow growers. My regal was not a particularly bold or outgoing fish, so it can get overshadowed as the centerpiece fish by more active fish. I prefer its coloration to the majestic. It ate a variety of foods but was not a particularly strong eater.

Unfortunately, I lost it to a power outage a month ago. 4 butterflies survived that power outage, so this particular regal wasn't even as hearty as those fish.

I haven't decided whether to get another one or to try a different angel.

Good luck.

 

[humaguy]

Navarchus all day long...

 

[Crusty Old Shellback]

I prefer this one.

I'm not sure where you got the info of them being a slow grower. And what consititutes a slow grower? One thing to note is that they change from subadult to adult colors a lot sooner than other angels. I've only ever seen one that was in junival colors and he was about half way thru his color change.

As for personaility, they tend to be shy in the begning. Mine was in a tank with a pair of large Naso tangs, large Pink Tail trigger and some other tangs. But he soon overcame his shyness and would always greet me when i went to the tank to feed. I lost him after about 4 years and I'm not sure why.

But now I have a new one. He seems to be following the same charastics of my last one.

 

[rgentry123]

depends on a lot of factors. Both are beautiful fish - I do however prefer the look of the yellow bellied regal. Regals will be more expensive for the most part and are MUCH more difficult to acclimate to captive life. Depending on your experience level a majestic may be a better choice. You really wont be able to go wrong either way. I will say a 125 is going to rather on the smaller side of what i would put either of these fish in at full grown size.

 

[ABlueReef]

I would go with the majestic angel as they are easlier to acclimate and are more aggressive eaters. Thats if you are going to have more aggressive eating fishes in your tank. I have a pair of blue chested regals for about 6 months now and they are doing well but on the shy side still. I hade to quarantine these two guys for over two months to get them to eat a variety of food. I don't really have any other fish besides a pair of snowcassos, and female watanabe angel with these two in my elso 120. So geting food for these two isn't a issue.

 

[humaguy]

I prefer this one.

I'm not sure where you got the info of them being a slow grower. And what consititutes a slow grower? One thing to note is that they change from subadult to adult colors a lot sooner than other angels. I've only ever seen one that was in junival colors and he was about half way thru his color change.

As for personaility, they tend to be shy in the begning. Mine was in a tank with a pair of large Naso tangs, large Pink Tail trigger and some other tangs. But he soon overcame his shyness and would always greet me when i went to the tank to feed. I lost him after about 4 years and I'm not sure why.

But now I have a new one. He seems to be following the same charastics of my last one.

yup....Majestic...all day long...get a juvi, they change over fast, are great fish- though a bit initially and the smallest of the large angels...my fav...also, ime and imo hardier than a Regal...
these are 2 great pics btw, thank you for sharing them...