Unexpected new arrival to the tank

[FEJ]

This week, my wife had cause to visit Davao City on the mainland so I asked if she could get me a small Regal Tang from the marine fish shop that I go to when there. My new tank completed the nitrogen cycle a while ago and the parameters are now stable so thought it time to introduce a new fish to live alongside my Clowns.

When she got back, she said she didn't expect the fish to cost so much given I had said they were very cheap. Showing me what she had bought I found myself eye to eye with a 4"+ adult Regal Angelfish! She had remembered I wanted a Regal something and couldn't remember the rest. The shopkeeper suggested this fish and so she bought it. The fish looks healthy enough and has a well-filled out body. It was quite shy for the first couple of days but is now taking the occasional constitutional swim around the tank.

I haven't seen it eat any of the food offered (Hikari seaweed extreme pellets, Aquaforest Liquid Mysis and Liquid Artemia) but noticed a couple of times it appears to graze on some algae on the glass. If anyone experienced in keeping these fish can offer any advice on how to get it feeding and any tips on the care required to give the fish the best life possible, I would be very grateful. Thanks.

 

[IKD]

This week, my wife had cause to visit Davao City on the mainland so I asked if she could get me a small Regal Tang from the marine fish shop that I go to when there. My new tank completed the nitrogen cycle a while ago and the parameters are now stable so thought it time to introduce a new fish to live alongside my Clowns.

When she got back, she said she didn't expect the fish to cost so much given I had said they were very cheap. Showing me what she had bought I found myself eye to eye with a 4"+ adult Regal Angelfish! She had remembered I wanted a Regal something and couldn't remember the rest. The shopkeeper suggested this fish and so she bought it. The fish looks healthy enough and has a well-filled out body. It was quite shy for the first couple of days but is now taking the occasional constitutional swim around the tank.

I haven't seen it eat any of the food offered (Hikari seaweed extreme pellets, Aquaforest Liquid Mysis and Liquid Artemia) but noticed a couple of times it appears to graze on some algae on the glass. If anyone experienced in keeping these fish can offer any advice on how to get it feeding and any tips on the care required to give the fish the best life possible, I would be very grateful. Thanks.

Well at least you weren’t asking for a Regal Angel and she brought home a Regal Tang :). This may help

https://www.aquariumspecialty.com/b...5ifZiQBcCikfewCTgpb3VDYDlmURh7qZ7Aa2tUfaVTg_J

 

[FEJ]

Well at least you weren’t asking for a Regal Angel and she brought home a Regal Tang :). This may help

https://www.aquariumspecialty.com/b...5ifZiQBcCikfewCTgpb3VDYDlmURh7qZ7Aa2tUfaVTg_J

Thank you for the lead to the care of these fish. Much appreciated.

 

[The Ugly Phase]

hope urs has a better personality than mine mine is a PITA bully's every fish specially my baby yellow tang mine was very shy at 1st but ate everything mine is a very very aggressive eater he is always out and about now

 

[W31Olds]

I assume you have a large enough Tank for your Regal. That being said, these are difficult fish and often considered "Expert Only". They sometimes simply die for no reason. Mine did after about 8 months. To get them started, use fresh Manila Clams or other Clams. It's like Candy to Angelfish.

 

[FEJ]

hope urs has a better personality than mine mine is a PITA bully's every fish specially my baby yellow tang mine was very shy at 1st but ate everything mine is a very very aggressive eater he is always out and about now

I fear I'll never find out the character of the fish. Although very shy at first, he started swimming around the tank during the past few days but not seen him eat any of the food offered. This morning, I found him lying on his side on the sand. He's moved positions during the day and tried to right himself a couple of times but now he is back on his side breathing heavily. No external signs of illness or disease, he still has a full body, not thin at all, so I don't know what is causing his demise.

I have to admit, I wasn't confident that he would survive when my wife brought him home, I just feel bad for not being able to help him adapt to his new surroundings.

 

[FEJ]

I assume you have a large enough Tank for your Regal. That being said, these are difficult fish and often considered "Expert Only". They sometimes simply die for no reason. Mine did after about 8 months. To get them started, use fresh Manila Clams or other Clams. It's like Candy to Angelfish.

The tank is large enough at 96" x 27" x 30" tall. As I wrote above, the fish is now in decline.

For sure, I would not have bought this fish personally as I know it's classed as difficult to get feeding and is identified as expert only. Especially, as this fish would have been wild caught and already an adult. Feeding it was down to what the shopkeeper recommended to my wife (Hakiri Seaweed Extreme) plus what I have at hand (AF Liquid Mysis and Liquid Artemia). We live on a relatively small island off the coast of mainland Mindanao so don't have ready access to a lfs, saying that, the clams should have been easy to obtain from the local fishermen. But, I reckon that option has passed now but good to know for future fish I get. Well, at least I've learned to post photos of the fish I want to my wife's phone if she should be getting me fish in the future...but still feel bad for the poor fish.

 

[The Ugly Phase]

I fear I'll never find out the character of the fish. Although very shy at first, he started swimming around the tank during the past few days but not seen him eat any of the food offered. This morning, I found him lying on his side on the sand. He's moved positions during the day and tried to right himself a couple of times but now he is back on his side breathing heavily. No external signs of illness or disease, he still has a full body, not thin at all, so I don't know what is causing his demise.

I have to admit, I wasn't confident that he would survive when my wife brought him home, I just feel bad for not being able to help him adapt to his new surroundings.

that sucks :( mine is also wild caught is a good 5-6"

 

[W31Olds]

If you can please post a pic of your Regal. From what you have said, it doesn't sound good, but the Medics may be able to pick up on something and determine whether or not your other fish are at risk. I attached a list of difficult fish to keep. Jay probably has info on evaluating a Fish before purchase but without going into all the detail, you must see the fish feed at the shop before buying it or pass.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/difficult-and-special-care-species-list.32412/
@Jay Hemdal

 

[Marine Betta]

I assume you have a large enough Tank for your Regal. That being said, these are difficult fish and often considered "Expert Only". They sometimes simply die for no reason. Mine did after about 8 months. To get them started, use fresh Manila Clams or other Clams. It's like Candy to Angelfish.

The tank is large enough at 96" x 27" x 30" tall. As I wrote above, the fish is now in decline.

For sure, I would not have bought this fish personally as I know it's classed as difficult to get feeding and is identified as expert only. Especially, as this fish would have been wild caught and already an adult. Feeding it was down to what the shopkeeper recommended to my wife (Hakiri Seaweed Extreme) plus what I have at hand (AF Liquid Mysis and Liquid Artemia). We live on a relatively small island off the coast of mainland Mindanao so don't have ready access to a lfs, saying that, the clams should have been easy to obtain from the local fishermen. But, I reckon that option has passed now but good to know for future fish I get. Well, at least I've learned to post photos of the fish I want to my wife's phone if she should be getting me fish in the future...but still feel bad for the poor fish.

I’m sorry to hear about your angel. Was she locally caught in the Phillipines? Yellow/orange belly (Indian Ocean or Red Sea) are treated and collected with more care than the blue-grey belly (Philippines/Indo) which are often caught with cyanide. Loss of appetite, heavy breathing, and lack of ability to swim properly sounds like cyanide poisoning, but it could also be an internal issue unrelated to cyanide. It’s hard to say without seeing pictures. I would ask how she was collected.

 

[FEJ]

I’m sorry to hear about your angel. Was she locally caught in the Phillipines? Yellow/orange belly (Indian Ocean or Red Sea) are treated and collected with more care than the blue-grey belly (Philippines/Indo) which are often caught with cyanide. Loss of appetite, heavy breathing, and lack of ability to swim properly sounds like cyanide poisoning, but it could also be an internal issue unrelated to cyanide. It’s hard to say without seeing pictures. I would ask how she was collected.

Thank you. Yes, the fish would have been locally caught in the waters around Davao. I'm not certain where the shopkeeper obtains her supply but, from what I have heard, it would likely be from a local Badjo diver. These guys don't use cyanide that I know of, just nets. Get to know one and you can purchase a bag of freshly caught reef fish for 500 Philippine pesos (under $10). The Regal Angelfish cost me 750 pesos from the shop. Sadly, the fish was dead this morning when I checked.

 

[The Ugly Phase]

Thank you. Yes, the fish would have been locally caught in the waters around Davao. I'm not certain where the shopkeeper obtains her supply but, from what I have heard, it would likely be from a local Badjo diver. These guys don't use cyanide that I know of, just nets. Get to know one and you can purchase a bag of freshly caught reef fish for 500 Philippine pesos (under $10). The Regal Angelfish cost me 750 pesos from the shop. Sadly, the fish was dead this morning when I checked.

sad you gonna try again? monitor it in the shop for a few weeks make sure it's healthy they really are stunning fish

 

[FEJ]

If you can please post a pic of your Regal. From what you have said, it doesn't sound good, but the Medics may be able to pick up on something and determine whether or not your other fish are at risk. I attached a list of difficult fish to keep. Jay probably has info on evaluating a Fish before purchase but without going into all the detail, you must see the fish feed at the shop before buying it or pass.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/difficult-and-special-care-species-list.32412/
@Jay Hemdal

Thanks for the feedback, regrettably, the fish was dead when I checked this morning. There was no sign on the body to indicate an illness but I have no photo to back that up. I appreciate the attachment you have provided and I will check that out once I have caught up on my correspondence. I have been without internet for over 24 hours and it has just come back on in the last few minutes.

As I said in an earlier comment, I would never have bought the fish personally; my wife mistakenly got this fish instead of the Regal Tang I had asked her to get. Actually, I am annoyed with the shopkeeper because she knows I am new to the saltwater side of the hobby and should not have offered a 'difficult' fish. In fact, she should have known when my wife said I wanted a Regal 'something' it was a Regal Tang I was looking to get (she has a tankful of juveniles). I bought my Clownfish from the shop and she knows they are the only fish I so far have. I suspect the fish was a new arrival, not eating, and this was a quick way to pass the fish on before it died. Maybe that's cynical but I am too long in the tooth not to be. My plan was/is to stick to beginner type fish as I slowly ease my way into the hobby. Lesson learnt.

 

[FEJ]

sad you gonna try again? monitor it in the shop for a few weeks make sure it's healthy they really are stunning fish

I won't be buying another in the short/medium term. My plan is to start with hardy/beginner fish. When the tank has matured for a year or more I might look towards getting one. I agree, they are beautiful fish but I will be very careful to ensure I can provide the absolute best conditions and will monitor the fish closely before committing to taking care of such a delicate chap.

 

[FEJ]

Sounds like something my wife would do. More expensive = better ;)
For feeding, id try some chopped up clams, mussels, or oyster in small amounts.
Did you call the store to ask them what they've been feeding it with?

Despite living in the UK for many years, my Filipino wife quickly slipped back into calculating the value of money with a Filipino mindset. What would have been very inexpensive to her whilst in the UK becomes very expensive here. A Regal Tang costs 150 Philippine pesos while the Regal Angelfish cost 750 peso. Five times as much, yes, but still just around $10 compared to $2 for the Tang.

The shopkeeper told my wife she fed the fish on Hakiri Seaweed Extreme and that is what my wife bought (I already have a pack as that is what I am predominately feeding to my Clowns).

I'll go down to the local fish market early next week and get a supply of shell fish. I can shell and cut them into small pieces,freeze them and thaw out what I need for the fish I'll be getting as I do for my anemones. I have three anemones (an 8" purple Long Tentacled (Macrodactyla doreensis), an 8" lime green Carpet (Stichodactyla haddoni), and a 7" pearl white Magnificent (Heteractis magnifica)) that are all thriving on a large shrimp that I have been feeding to them bit by bit weekly over the last month.

 

[W31Olds]

Sorry to hear you lost your Regal Angel. I also have a Hippo Tang like you are planning as your next fish and they are easier to keep but a word of caution gets very large very quickly. Mine went from about 2" to now a fat 6" beast in about 1.5 years and still growing. Very attractive fish though.

 

[The Ugly Phase]

Despite living in the UK for many years, my Filipino wife quickly slipped back into calculating the value of money with a Filipino mindset. What would have been very inexpensive to her whilst in the UK becomes very expensive here. A Regal Tang costs 150 Philippine pesos while the Regal Angelfish cost 750 peso. Five times as much, yes, but still just around $10 compared to $2 for the Tang.

The shopkeeper told my wife she fed the fish on Hakiri Seaweed Extreme and that is what my wife bought (I already have a pack as that is what I am predominately feeding to my Clowns).

I'll go down to the local fish market early next week and get a supply of shell fish. I can shell and cut them into small pieces,freeze them and thaw out what I need for the fish I'll be getting as I do for my anemones. I have three anemones (an 8" purple Long Tentacled (Macrodactyla doreensis), an 8" lime green Carpet (Stichodactyla haddoni), and a 7" pearl white Magnificent (Heteractis magnifica)) that are all thriving on a large shrimp that I have been feeding to them bit by bit weekly over the last month.

i make sure to give my angel this they need sponge in there diet aswell as meaty item my regal does eat the pellets you mentioned that i give my tang my angel goes mad for jumbo monkey mysis

 

[FEJ]

Sorry to hear you lost your Regal Angel. I also have a Hippo Tang like you are planning as your next fish and they are easier to keep but a word of caution gets very large very quickly. Mine went from about 2" to now a fat 6" beast in about 1.5 years and still growing. Very attractive fish though.

Thanks. One silver lining is that I had my heart set on getting an Emperor Angelfish which was dashed when the Regal Angelfish came along. Now, when the time is right, I can get the Emperor I wanted.
The shop I go to has Regal Tangs from under an inch in length, up to nearly three inches. I'll probably go for a smaller pair of fish to see how well they grow together.

 

[FEJ]

i make sure to give my angel this they need sponge in there diet aswell as meaty item my regal does eat the pellets you mentioned that i give my tang my angel goes mad for jumbo monkey mysis

I did read that Regals do well when sponge is added to their diets. I have not seen that on sale at the two available LFS to me but saw a dry food mix for sale on Lazada and Shopee that contained sponge in the ingredients. Something to bear in mind in the future.

 

[W31Olds]

I've got an Emperor Angel and they are beautiful fish. A word of caution with them. Mine started eating my LPS Corals. Also, they get really big really fast. Mine has gone from 2 to 5 inches in 16 months and is the Tank Boss and bullies some of my other fish. They need a very large Tank too.