Regal Angelfish care guide

Regal Angelfish (Pygoplites diacanthus) — minimum tank 400 L, temperature 24-27 °C, pH 8.1-8.4.

Overview

The Regal Angelfish (Pygoplites diacanthus) is a large Indo-Pacific marine angelfish reaching about 25 cm. The body bears bold orange-and-white vertical bars edged in black, a blue-marked dorsal fin and a yellow tail. Two regional colour variants exist — Red Sea and Indian Ocean specimens are more vividly orange across the belly than Pacific fish.

Taxonomy

Family: Pomacanthidae
Genus: Pygoplites
Scientific name: Pygoplites diacanthus
Common synonyms: Royal Angelfish

Habitat

Distributed from the Red Sea and East Africa across the tropical Indo-West Pacific to the central Pacific. The species inhabits clear, coral-rich outer reefs and reef passes from 1 to 80 m depth, where adults typically remain near caves and overhangs.

Tank requirements

Minimum tank volume: 400 L (105.7 US gal)
Adult size: 15-25 cm
Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
pH: 8.1-8.4
GH: 8-12 °dGH
Water flow: moderate
Lifespan: 10-15 years
Salinity: SG 1.024-1.026
Carbonate hardness (dKH): 8-12

Diet

A specialist feeder on sponges and tunicates in the wild. In captivity it is notoriously difficult to acclimate; live sponges, sponge-based angel formulas, mysis and enriched mysis are usually offered, and Red Sea / Maldives specimens are reported to adapt more readily than Indo-Pacific fish.

Compatibility

Peaceful for an angel; only one per tank because conspecifics fight. Best housed with peaceful established marine community fish — clownfish, smaller wrasses, gobies and cardinals. Avoid aggressive feeders that will out-compete it before it begins to accept food.

Reef compatibility

Not reliably reef-safe. Adults sample sponges, tunicates, large-polyp stony coral polyps and clam mantles. Suitable only for FOWLR or specialist sponge-tolerant reefs.

Breeding

A pelagic broadcast spawner that releases eggs into the water column at dusk. Captive breeding has not been achieved at a commercial scale and aquarium-trade specimens are wild-caught.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List: Least Concern. The species is widespread but is subject to localised collection pressure in parts of Southeast Asia.