Regal Angel Primer

[Steve Atkins]

Because of the import quarantine system we have in NZ I don't normally quarantine my fish (no introduced diseased so far in over 12 years) but I have recently added a sort of staging tank that is part way between being quarantine tank and the main reef. In fact it is nothing more than a large plastic box that I have plumbed, via some 4mm irrigation tube, into the reefs main water return.

It's first use was for my recently introduced Copperband who spent a week in there getting used to me and pecking away at various rocks I moved in from the reef before I gave it the full mirror treatment for its entry into the reef.

Regal's new tankmate

In Nextdogs case this approach would have allowed the fish to be fed and observed separately but still only left one system to maintain.

 

[LargeAngels]

Gschiemer: As you stated you feel I "Made a point of contradicting" you. Which was by no means what was stated if you read my comment. I only stated my opinion and my experiences with small angels introduced with larger ones, which is what he was doing so there was some relevance.

 

[Chooch1]

Just wanted to add my 2 cents. I recently lost my 5+ years( in my care) RS Regal angel to a Cryptocarion ( I think) outbreak in my tank. Needless to say I was angry and heartbroken at the same time. The fish was a champion. She ate anything and every type of food I offered and was model reef inhabitant. She never bothered any of my corals, clams, etc. with the exception of Zoanthids when I first intoduced her in April, 2001. The Zoanthids were getting too numerous anyway and I have never missed them. I really think this fish could have lived another 5 or maybe 10 years if it weren't for my own stupidity.

I lost the Regal due to a violation of my own cardinal rule of quarantining all new additions. I added some Bartlett's anthias to my 180 gal reef in January/February of this year without quarantining. Shortly thereafter I noticed the Regal and other fish scratching but nothing too extreme. I then added a Red Hooded fairy wrasse in June without quarantining. Maybe a month after that last addition and for whatever reason the outbreak became more virulent and I lost 12 of 15 fish including the Regal. Some of my other fish I had had for over 8 years.

My strong recommendation to all is to quarantine your new fish for at least 3 to 4 weeks. Don't be stupd like me and loose your prized fish.

Finally, can anyone recommend an online vendor with a strong record for supplying healthy RS Regals that survive? The vendor I bought my previous Regal from no longer does mail order. Thanks.

 

[Steve Atkins]

And another way to loose a Regal

And another way to loose a Regal

This one, thankfully not mine, taken by an anemone.

http://www.fnzas.org.nz/fishroom/i-am-totally-gutted-vt15801.html

Link to a picture is part way down the text.

Steve

 

[DKRT0821]

Got a new 3.5" white belly regal angel from a good distributor. He had the fish for a month and was eating pellets and mysis. I added it last night while the lights were off in my tank, so it had a peaceful night. This morning all the tank mates, including my goldflake and flame angel left it alone - so hope that is a good start. It didn't eat this morning, but I am sure that is all due to it still acclimating to its new home. Otherwise it looked very good!

 

[tygger]

I noticed most of you have >100g tanks. Would a regal be ok in a 72g tank?

 

[MarineOne]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8195717#post8195717 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tygger
I noticed most of you have >100g tanks. Would a regal be ok in a 72g tank?

Let me answer before someone jumps down your throat...lol

No, a Regal needs at the very least a 60" or 120 gallon aquarium. Most would say a 72" is the minimum...

Sorry, I am sure that is not what you wanted to hear....

 

[tygger]

That's ok. I asked because I dont want to get a fish and make it suffer. Guess I'll get one in the far future when I upgrade my tank.

Thx

 

[DKRT0821]

I would say at least 100 gallons with plenty of hiding places.

 

[DKRT0821]

Day 2 and still a bit shy and not coming all the way out into the open. So far the other tank mates are nice to it. Hope it will come out soon so that I can attempt to feed it.

 

[bskiba]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8198036#post8198036 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DKRT0821
Day 2 and still a bit shy and not coming all the way out into the open. So far the other tank mates are nice to it. Hope it will come out soon so that I can attempt to feed it.

That is the way mine was. a few days until he was out. He would hide when I entered the room. But after the second day he was out a little with the other fish.(as long as I wasn't around).



Well after I got back from vacation my Angel had a few spots of ich. Garlic didn't help for a week so I bought a cleaner shrimp. within an hour he had a station set up and gave my angel attention for a few hours.

 

[dirtyreefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8198036#post8198036 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DKRT0821
Day 2 and still a bit shy and not coming all the way out into the open. So far the other tank mates are nice to it. Hope it will come out soon so that I can attempt to feed it.

The tankmates being "nice to it" plays a huge factor in acclimation, and that's good to hear. There's nothing worse than having an a-hole bully fish that doesn't help with the getting settled in process, although alot of the time it is probably our fault for introducing the wrong fish at the wrong time sorta deal

 

[DKRT0821]

I cannot agree more...had I been more experienced earlier I would have added the regal first...however, knowing the type of fish I currently have made me decide to add it now. I see it all the time going from cave to cave but has yet to come out in full force. The guy I bought it from (great distributor) had it for a month and the fish did eat pellets while I was there - now the big part is just letting it acclimate to my reef tank and letting its new tank mates adjust to it as well.

 

[Steve Atkins]

DKRT0821, if you can see it after two or three days you are doing well, mine stayed almost completely hidden for about a week. He did get chased a bit though.

Steve

 

[DKRT0821]

Tomorrow is going to be a week and is coming out little by little. I see it pecking at the rocks, however, it is still not eating. I placed a couple of little clams around the tank last night and it pecked at one very little, but nothing major. I do see it more and more as it gets more settled. I know they may take a long time to eat. I am trying to leave it alone without scaring it hoping it will get used to me being infront of the tank during feeding times (7:30am every day). Still looks good and not stressed.

 

[DKRT0821]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8211939#post8211939 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Steve Atkins
DKRT0821, if you can see it after two or three days you are doing well, mine stayed almost completely hidden for about a week. He did get chased a bit though.

Steve

Steve - thanks for the vote of confidence. I am sure it will do better this week.

Ron

 

[bskiba]

I started with a clam cut open and then rolled up nori rubber banded to a rock.

 

[Steve Atkins]

I think also part of the reason I did not see much of mine for the first few weeks was that after I worked out where he was hanging out I would put 1/2 mussels down the back of the reef for him. This would have satisfied the hunger and reduced the need to come out to look for more food.

Steve

 

[DKRT0821]

Well, it's a week today and nothing. Don't get it because it was eating pellets when I picked "her" up...oh well. She looks good and not stressed - all fins are intact. I refuse to put food in the back so that I can force it to come out front to feed. Today however, I am going to put some seaweed rubber-banded on a rock on the side for it. I will see how that works. I will post a pic of "Reggie" once I know for sure I am in the clear. Ron

 

[DKRT0821]

Well everyone - I assuming it died since I haven't seen in two days :-( - very sad.