Regal Angel Primer

Here is a great tip for introducing your new baby Regal, or any fish for that matter, into your display tank (after the QT of course).

Get a piece of plexiglass that is cut the same size as the inside of your aquarium - minus 1/4 inch on the width. Have some small holes drilled in it for water flow. Depending on the size of your tank, it should cost roughly $20.

Divide your display tank into thirds. 1/3 for the new fish and 2/3 for the fish already in the display.

Keep it this way for a least 3 days.

This does a few things:

It lets the new fish and the current fish see each other - important.

It also makes sure that the current fish can not get at the new fish. They will try, but the glass will prevent them.

It also lets the new fish acclimate to the new tank and its lighting, water, etc.

They will soon be used to seeing each other in the tank and when you actually pull the plexiglass out, the chance of fighting and/or stress should be minimal - if your fish are compatible that is.

If they do fight, re-do the process.

P.S. Always remember to turn off the lights for at least 12 hours when adding a new fish.

:fish1:
 
An easier variation for those with established systems that I've used for years is using a "critter keeper" for the new addition... these are the plastic containers regularly available from pet shops... this also works for mixing tangs like I have done as you get past that original "I will nail you until one of us is dead aggression". In my loarge frag system I have multiple sections like mentioned above seperated with eggcrate instead, and I used this to get my trio of regals toegether...
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7879569#post7879569 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MarineOne
Here is a great tip for introducing your new baby Regal, or any fish for that matter, into your display tank (after the QT of course).

Get a piece of plexiglass that is cut the same size as the inside of your aquarium - minus 1/4 inch on the width. Have some small holes drilled in it for water flow. Depending on the size of your tank, it should cost roughly $20.

Divide your display tank into thirds. 1/3 for the new fish and 2/3 for the fish already in the display.

Keep it this way for a least 3 days.

This does a few things:

It lets the new fish and the current fish see each other - important.

It also makes sure that the current fish can not get at the new fish. They will try, but the glass will prevent them.

It also lets the new fish acclimate to the new tank and its lighting, water, etc.

They will soon be used to seeing each other in the tank and when you actually pull the plexiglass out, the chance of fighting and/or stress should be minimal - if your fish are compatible that is.

If they do fight, re-do the process.

P.S. Always remember to turn off the lights for at least 12 hours when adding a new fish.

:fish1:
Click to expand...

This is a very good suggestion but not always practical. You can do something similar by hanging an acrylic basket in the aquarium.

As MarineOne pointed out, this is not always successful. I tried this technique with different species of Canthigaster puffers. They apparently got along when separated by the glass partition but began brutally fighting as soon as I removed it a few weeks later. Fish are more intelligent than we give them credit for and will not waste their energy attaking other fish through a transparent partition after a short period of time; although this does not mean they won't attack each as soon as they're given the opportunity. Some combination of fish just don't work.

Greg
 
I normally introduce new fish as soon as the lights go out anyway....

I wouldn't be able to section off a part of the tank but I could put in another small tank. But it would be suspened in the top corner where fish don't usually venture so I doubt it would be much use. I don't have a very agressive tank (YT, PBT, Emp, CB, Flame Angel, Heniochus pair, 5 Lyretails etc) so I know the regal could hold it's own once it reaches 2" or more so prolly best to wait another month.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7879569#post7879569 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MarineOne
if your fish are compatible that is.
Click to expand...
As I stated, if the fish aren't compatible, which puffers aren't, it won't work.

It's not a method to make incompatible fish live together.

Its a method to make the introduction of compatible fish less stressful.

It has always worked for me :D

:fish1:
 
When introducing new fish I have successfully used mirrors. The resident fish seem to dislike reflections of themselves even more than a new fish.

Many years ago I added a Copperband using this method. He was completely ignored by the locals who were dealing with a much more serious invasion. After a few hours like this, even the new Copperband was out in front of the mirror threatening itself and still being ignored by the others. Unfortunately the mirrors didn't protect it from the poorly designed overflow I had at the time.

I like the idea of a transparent container tho, and may use it, and the mirrors, when I introduce the new Copperband I got last weekend.

We seem to get a lot of small Regals down here. My one, at about 10cm, seems to be an exception. Most appear to be in the 2-3 cm range from what I have seen.

Steve
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7890180#post7890180 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Steve Atkins
Many years ago I added a Copperband using this method. He was completely ignored by the locals who were dealing with a much more serious invasion.
Steve
Click to expand...

LOL! I can picture it.
 
I have a goldflake in 120g my reef tank now, and I would like to add a regal angel. Will this work? Would love to hear some opinions. Thank you.
 
I have a goldflake in my 120g reef tank now, and I would like to add a regal angel. Will this work? Would love to hear some opinions. Thank you.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7895736#post7895736 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LargeAngels
IME Goldflakes and regals do just fine together. My goldflake doesn't bother any of my regals.
Click to expand...
But you have a 300 gallon tank, right?

:fish1:
 
cool. Good to know. I am hoping to add one in the upcoming week. The goldflake is doing GREAT. Eating my zoos, but nothing else. Overall I love the fish and could live without the zoos...
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7890180#post7890180 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Steve Atkins
When introducing new fish I have successfully used mirrors. The resident fish seem to dislike reflections of themselves even more than a new fish........
Click to expand...
I'll start by saying "what a terrific thread!" I'm seriously planning to get a regal in the near future. Probably Christmas at the latest. I'm curious about the mirrors... Do these go outside of the tank against the glass, or are they actually in the water? I love this idea! How do you think a regal in the typical 3" to 5" range would do with a 6" sailfin and a 4" blond naso? The tank is a 180 with plenty of swimming room and with some good size caves that a shy fish could retreat to... I have some other fish as well, but they are all less aggressive than the two tangs IMO.

I've read this whole split but now have to go back to the previous 40 pages :rolleyes:
 
The mirrors are placed outside the tank. Usually I just sit them on a chair or something and lean the top against the tank. I can do this easily as the tank is quite low because it was designed to be best viewed from the sofa opposite (also an advantage for access and stability in an earthquake prone area).

For the Copperband, I did not use a container in the end and relied just on the mirrors â€"œ one 30 x 50 cm one and a very large one I borrowed from the upstairs bathroom. This was one well sorted fish as from the time I put him in to when I got back to the tank after putting the net down he had started pecking at the rocks. He even spent a few minutes checking out his reflection before heading back in the reef where he has since busies himself wiping out my mini-tubeworm population.

Most of the residents were drawn to the big mirror so I soon took away the smaller one. Even my normally reclusive Mandarin spent several hours out front with it’s own reflection. I did not see the Copperband get chased at all but kept the big mirror there for about two days anyway.

When I added the Regal, the mirrors did not prevent all chasing (mostly by two tangs and a two large damsels) but I suspect they (used 3 on that occasion) lessened it greatly. The bigger of the two tangs (17cm) and the bigger damsel (13cm) are still boss over the Regal but they all get on fine mostly. The Regal and my Clarks clown are currently trying to work out the number 3 position in the tank.

Steve
 
Well I have my Regal in my tank for 4 days now. It took till the second day for him to stay out when I was around. I would have to sneak up on him to see him cruising. out when I shot mysis, formula 1 and prime reef flakes. sampled some but didn't go crazy for it yet. pics to come.
 
Here's mine. I have had him 6 months. He is very difficult to get a picture of. Him and my Emperor both seem to be afraid of the camera. Otherwise they are always out in the open.

RegalandFoxFace.jpg
 
I'm at the stage now where my BlueLine and small Regal have just finished their quarantine period and salinity is back up to normal. I'm definitely putting the Blueline in the main tank tonight but what should I do more the small Regal. It's still small - around an inch. It's tankmates would be a Yellow Tang, PBT, Flame Angel, Coral Beauty, Juvie Emperor, Clarkii pair, Heniochus pair, some gobies, 5 Lyretails.

Plenty of places for it to hide but just worried it will be okay eating. Food gets swirled around quite alot so even if it's hiding it will get eating opportunities I'm sure - and it likes to peck at rock.
 
Personally, I don't think a one-inch Regal Angel will last in that tank. If the existing angels and tangs don't kill it, it won't compete for food and starve to death. I'd keep it in a smaller aquarium where it is the dominant fish.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

OrionN
Biota Hybrid CB Regal Angel. Please comment
Replies
4
Views
201
griss
griss
Q
What is the best way to add Queen Angel?
Replies
1
Views
591
wvned
wvned
T
New 55g setup. Advice for fish appreciated
Replies
6
Views
271
Uncle99
Uncle99
OrionN
Naso elegans, the Blonde Naso
Replies
1
Views
220
OrionN
OrionN
OrionN
Baby CB Regal Angel from Biota
Replies
8
Views
2K
OrionN
OrionN
Back
Top