Regal angel or copperband butterfly?

[badstorm48]

I've done the research and am at the end of figuring out which fish to get. I have a mixed reef with very peaceful fish. Now I have gotten more feedback on the butterfly so, I feel more confident with putting it in my tank. Though, I really like the regal angel, but am worried on how it will act in my tank. So, I am just trying to make the best decision. I want the regal, but I feel the butterfly would be the smarter way to go. So, I'm coming on here to hear what people have to say out of the two fish.

With the regal I was told they can be safe. Out of the ones he has had 2 of them have been good and one was bad. Though, this is only one source. With the butterfly I have read many accounts of successful butterfly's in reef tanks.

So, what do y'all think?

 

[Fer21]

The Copperband it's a peaceful fish, rarely aggressive I think you could add both, jus make sure you have enough food choices to offer since both of this fish tend to be picky eaters, also both of them can pick at corals so be careful.

 

[badstorm48]

Yeah I would love to add both, I can only add one as adding the other would cause the tank to be overcrowded atleast to me.

 

[Fer21]

Well in that case, I would go for the Regal, it's a beautiful fish, just do you're research this fish have a high mortality rate.

 

[badstorm48]

Yeah that's what worries me is the mortality rate. It's 130 with shipping and if it does go then I'm out 130 dollars and a beautiful fish. I feel the copperband will have a higher survival rate and it's only 75 to get it shipped. So, I'm not losing as much money

 

[Fer21]

I don't really like to buy online when it comes to delicate fish like the Regal, I think the best way to make sure that you get a healthy specimen it's by looking at it at the fish store, unless it's a reputable online store like liveaquaria.

 

[badstorm48]

It's off of nyaquatics and they say that the fish is already eating and that they won't ship if it's not. Also, I have heard nothing, but good things about them. Some of the people bought copperband butterfly's from them and they were eating when they got them and the fish did great.

 

[4FordFamily]

It's off of nyaquatics and they say that the fish is already eating and that they won't ship if it's not. Also, I have heard nothing, but good things about them. Some of the people bought copperband butterfly's from them and they were eating when they got them and the fish did great.

I've bought regals and copperband from NYAquatic they're a great vendor. Highly recommend.

That said both species are extremely temperamental and may stop eating. Copperband are even worse than regal angels. Both are among the toughest fish to keep, IMO

 

[badstorm48]

Theres one that's 2 inches and one thats 4 inches. Which Regal do you thin would have the best chance of survival. I've read that the juveniles are easier, but have read that if you can get one a little bigger they do better. What is your opinion on this and which one would you recommend to get?

 

[badstorm48]

I've bought regals and copperband from NYAquatic they're a great vendor. Highly recommend.

Theres one that's 2 inches and one thats 4 inches. Which Regal do you thin would have the best chance of survival. I've read that the juveniles are easier, but have read that if you can get one a little bigger they do better. What is your opinion on this and which one would you recommend to get?

 

[dodgerblew]

I'd request a video of them eating. Michael from nyaquatic really strives for a happy customer. He's a good vendor. My experience with regals and other large angels is they like zoas and LPS. You just never know. One can be good, one bad and one can be good for a period of time and then change and become destructive. My suggestion taking into account that both are complicated eaters and both can nip is go with CBB. But I'd ask for a video.

 

[4FordFamily]

Theres one that's 2 inches and one thats 4 inches. Which Regal do you thin would have the best chance of survival. I've read that the juveniles are easier, but have read that if you can get one a little bigger they do better. What is your opinion on this and which one would you recommend to get?

I've owned everything from 3.5-8" Regal Angels, all yellow belly variants. I actually had better luck with larger regals, but I've never owned a juvenile. The theory is that the large ones are harder to get to eat because their diets they've learned to eat in the wild are more strongly instilled than juveniles that are thought to be more open to eating and changing diet (as is required in captivity). I've found the smaller ones slightly less hardy, but again I've only tried one "juvenile" and it was not a juvenile in my book it had mostly adult coloration at 3.5".

 

[badstorm48]

I've owned everything from 3.5-8" Regal Angels, all yellow belly variants. I actually had better luck with larger regals, but I've never owned a juvenile. The theory is that the large ones are harder to get to eat because their diets they've learned to eat in the wild are more strongly instilled than juveniles that are thought to be more open to eating and changing diet (as is required in captivity). I've found the smaller ones slightly less hardy, but again I've only tried one "juvenile" and it was not a juvenile in my book it had mostly adult coloration at 3.5".

The 4in one has no juvenile coloration. Do you think that the 4in one would be better to go with since its still young enough to not have a diet and accept prepared foods and is hardier since its a little bigger? Nyaquatics says its already eating in big capitalized letters. So, I'm taking its already eating prepared foods.

 

[badstorm48]

I'd request a video of them eating. Michael from nyaquatic really strives for a happy customer. He's a good vendor. My experience with regals and other large angels is they like zoas and LPS. You just never know. One can be good, one bad and one can be good for a period of time and then change and become destructive. My suggestion taking into account that both are complicated eaters and both can nip is go with CBB. But I'd ask for a video.

Yeah I really like both, but I'm leaning towards the regal. My wallet says copperband cause it won't hurt as bad lol.

 

[dodgerblew]

Hope it works out for you. Keep us posted

 

[badstorm48]

Thanks! Definitely will keep y'all posted. I think I'm going to go with the 2 in juvenile since it's a little cheaper. Going to get some lrs fish frenzy as well. Excited and nervous I hope it works out too. Thanks for everyone's input. Also, seems juveniles around that size do better eating wise.

 

[dodgerblew]

Herbivore frenzy has more algae and will also be a great choice and fertility frenzy is higher protein so good for keeping weight on finicky eaters

 

[deerhunter06]

I just added a regal and my chevron cut his tail in half the first hour since then they have been good and the regal has caused no problems

I have a CBB in QT that will not eat. I would go with the regal you have a better shot at keeping it alive.

 

[badstorm48]

Interesting. Has anyone else had any experience ordering regals from nyaquatics?

 

[badstorm48]

Ordered my regal on Sunday. It should be here on Tuesday or atleast I'm hoping so. Idk how long it takes for them to fulfill the order and send it off. Excited!! Ordered some herbivore frenzy as well to help.