{"product_id":"regal-angel-pygoplites-diacanthus","title":"Regal Angel - Pygoplites diacanthus","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegal Angel (Pygoplites diacanthus)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Regal Angel, Pygoplites diacanthus, is one of the most beautiful and iconic marine angelfish, admired for its bold yellow, white and blue vertical striping, deep blue edging and elegant body shape. Also known as the Regal Angelfish or Royal Angelfish, this species is a true showpiece for a mature marine aquarium. It is, however, a specialist angelfish that needs stable water quality, peaceful tank mates, mature rockwork and a varied sponge-based diet, making it best suited to experienced marine fishkeepers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRegal Angel, Regal Angelfish, Royal Angelfish, Royal Angel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name (Latin):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePygoplites diacanthus\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaximum Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUp to around 25 cm, making it a medium to large marine angelfish that requires good swimming space and mature rockwork.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMarine\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin \/ Natural Habitat:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFound widely across the Indo-Pacific, including the Red Sea, Indian Ocean, East Africa, the Maldives, Indonesia, Australia, the Great Barrier Reef, New Caledonia and parts of the central Pacific. In the wild, Regal Angels inhabit coral-rich lagoon reefs and seaward reefs, often staying close to caves, ledges, overhangs and crevices where they can retreat quickly. They are naturally shy grazers that spend much of their time picking at sponges, tunicates and reef-surface growths.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTemperature: 24–27°C\u003cbr\u003epH Range: 8.1–8.4\u003cbr\u003eHardness or Salinity: SG 1.020–1.025\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePeaceful to mildly semi-aggressive. Regal Angels are usually less aggressive than many larger angelfish, but they can be shy and easily intimidated by boisterous tank mates. Best kept with peaceful to moderately active marine fish rather than aggressive tangs, triggers, puffers or large dominant angels. They may become territorial towards similar angelfish once settled, especially in smaller aquariums.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSpecialist omnivorous grazer with a strong sponge and tunicate-feeding element. In the wild, Regal Angels feed heavily on sponges and tunicates from reef surfaces and cave areas. In the aquarium, offer a varied diet including sponge-based angelfish preparations, frozen mysis shrimp, enriched brineshrimp, finely chopped clam, mussel, prawn, quality marine pellets, algae-based foods and natural grazing from mature live rock. Several smaller feeds per day are recommended, especially while the fish is settling and building condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA practical minimum of around 500–600 litres is recommended for a single specimen, with larger aquariums preferred for long-term success. The aquarium should be mature, stable and built with plenty of live rock, caves, overhangs, shaded areas and open swimming space.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBehaviour \u0026amp; Activity:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA graceful but naturally cautious angelfish that often spends time weaving through rockwork, ledges and cave areas. Newly introduced specimens may be shy and may hide frequently until settled. Once confident, they become more visible and will graze throughout the aquarium. Regal Angels appreciate quiet surroundings, secure hiding places and peaceful tank mates that allow them to feed without stress. A secure lid is recommended, as startled marine fish can jump.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef Safe:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eReef Safe with Caution\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRegal Angels can be kept in some reef aquariums, but individual behaviour varies. They may nip at LPS corals, soft corals, zoanthids, sponges, tunicates, clam mantles or other sessile invertebrates. They are often considered one of the more reef-manageable larger angelfish when well fed, but they should not be considered completely reef safe. Mature reefs with regular feeding and careful coral selection give the best chance of success.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial Requirements or Care Notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBest suited to experienced marine fishkeepers. Regal Angels can be difficult to settle if stressed, underfed or placed into an immature aquarium. Choose specimens that are already feeding where possible, and provide a quiet introduction period with low competition for food. Sponge-based foods are strongly recommended as part of the diet. Captive-bred specimens are occasionally available and can be a stronger choice where offered, as they are often better adapted to aquarium foods and conditions. Avoid newly set up systems, aggressive tank mates and unstable water parameters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eExperienced fishkeepers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSpecialist marine angelfish \/ Availability can vary depending on collection region, size, supplier and whether captive-bred specimens are available\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAll images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Aqua Group","offers":[{"title":"Small","offer_id":46410218635437,"sku":"AG-102455","price":145.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium","offer_id":43609045598381,"sku":"AG-101859","price":165.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large","offer_id":43609045631149,"sku":"AG-102456","price":199.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large","offer_id":46410218668205,"sku":"AG-102337","price":185.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0543\/0391\/6205\/files\/Regal_Angel_-_Pygoplites_diacanthus_1.jpg?v=1782313950","url":"https:\/\/aquagroup.co.uk\/products\/regal-angel-pygoplites-diacanthus","provider":"Aqua Group","version":"1.0","type":"link"}