QT pair of Regal Angels

[charleslotz]

I have done some research , on regal Angels and have seen a couple success stories keeping a pair together. I have had a single regal in the past , had for about 4 years in 200 gallon, died 1 year ago during my upgrade. To 400 gallon... 780 total volume.

May I ask that you look over my plan and let me know if I'm on the right track.


So I purchaced 2 juvenile regals +-2.5 to 2.75 inch.

Preparation : setup 80 gallon quarantine , with some live rock, 2 bags of seeded media stones and skimmer and a long travertine square hiding place , just have a Kessil 150w over the quarinetine ... It's a all in one frag tank...with a yellow eyed coletang residing.... Multi use. Have a 2l brine shrimp hatchery ready for Thursday, blood worms on order.

My plan is to quarinetine them together for 4 weeks ,.. Then in a acclimitation box in the display for 1 week. Don't plan to add any medication will only treat if I notice and issues.

I have copper on some other medication on standby... And a 29 gallon ready just in case....


Concerns : I have a purple tang , use to be a pig and would not accept any grazing new fish , I added a bigger yellow tang and the aggression has subsided... Don't think he is a problem any longer. My main problem is a 10" emporer... He does not tolerate and new fish of medium to large size. Wrasses or Goldies cause him no concern... I added a copper band a couple months ago and emporer forced him into a high corner I had to remove the poor fish and he now lives happily in one of 3 150 gallon refurgium with my seahorses. Strangly I added a 1.5 inch blue line ( different species of angel and was/ is very small) at the same time with no issues , seems size matters. Anyway ... I plan to add them both in a xl acclimitation box after quarinetine, with a mirror on the outside below the box.

Thanks for reading,... I need to be successful with the two regals , any advise is appreciated.

 

[4FordFamily]

As fragile as regals are I cannot imagine your emperor being good for them. When stressed they tend not to eat and that has the potential to be stressful. As far as pairing they generally tolerate each other I've not heard of much of an issue keeping more than one together.

I would treat all fish as if they have ich to keep it out of your DT these guys are very unlikely to be able to cope and live in "ich management" environments.

I know I'm not @Humblefish but I figured I would give you another perspective.

That said I have a 7" emperor in with a 2" scribbled angel and 4" Red Sea regal angel in quarantine without any issues. This one is either very timid or not yet staked his territory. My last emperor was tank boss until I lost him to a tumor.

 

[charleslotz]

Thanks ...

 

[Humblefish]

As fragile as regals are I cannot imagine your emperor being good for them.

^^ This would be my primary concern. Emperors can really dominate a tank, so it's going to be hit or miss whether the Emperor will tolerate the Regals in his territory. Even in a 400 gallon.

Your QT protocol is fine provided one thing: You spend at least 15 mins every day observing the Regals in QT. And I don't mean just watching for visible physical symptoms (ex. white spots) on the body & fins. You want to observe for the following key behavioral symptoms which would indicate ich or flukes in the gills: flashing, scratching, yawning, head twitching.

If you don't have time to sit in front of the QT every day to observe, I recommend prophylactically treating for ich & flukes.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Curious as to why the mirror outside the acclimation box? Generally you want the fish in the tank to see the fish in the acclimation box without distraction, so that they 'learn' that seeing the new fish is 'normal.

Personally, a pair of regals would be more desirable and challenging than an emperor, so if it seems the emperor won't tolerate the regals, I would choose the regals over the emperor.

 

[Humblefish]

Personally, a pair of regals would be more desirable and challenging than an emperor, so if it seems the emperor won't tolerate the regals, I would choose the regals over the emperor.

^^ Agree with this. The more I think about it, the more I think a pair of Regals and an Emperor are unlikely to coexist peacefully over the long-term. So if you decide to still try it, I would have a backup plan figured out for the Emperor (or the Regals) just in case.

If you are looking for large fish in pairs for your 400 DT, a pair of Blonde Nasos would look beautiful with the Regals.

 

[charleslotz]

Thanks for the advise, .... I'll think on it .... Difficult,.... emporer is my favourite fish , and has been in captivity since juvenile..and with me for + 3 years. The previous owner still contacts me to ask how he is doing.... He is one of the view emporers I have seen that has grown a streamer in captivity. He runs the tank and constantly grunts at the other fish... He is also 100% sps safe.

My plan b is to keep the regals in the 80 gallon frag tank or one of the 150 gallon refurgium's .... Or reluctantly donate the emporer to the local aquarium.....


Is there nothing else I can do to reduce the risk.... ..?Below is a iPad photo quality is poor but you get the picture he is a amazing member of the family.... On second thought I would only give him up if it was to his benifit like to A very large aquarium display.

He does not like the mirror and is placid when the mirror is up I did this when adding a large majestic fox face and it worked well.

 

[charleslotz]

Received them today ,... Beautiful fish both juvinile. In quarinetine seem ok ,... Did my fist 15 min watch today ( more like 60 min) .... Not interested in food yet cranked up the mysis hatchery... No aggression evident , just following each other around.... All Seems ok ... I might pickup some fresh clams tomorrow .... JIC.