Regal Angelfish

Circular potato · Mar 31, 2016

Hello everyone.
I recently purchased a regal angelfish. At the moment it is really shy, and doesn't seem to want to eat. It is nipping at the sponges and liverock but doesn't seem to be eating any of the food I put in. Is there some method to get these guys to eat faster?
Thanks

jdl513 · Mar 31, 2016

They are notorious for being difficult to acclimate to captivity. Picking at spongy rock is a good sign. Suggest feeding various foods lightly until he/she relaxes and shows interest in one or more.

Circular potato · Mar 31, 2016

Thanks for the reply. Let's hope this one lives one me, been wanting one for a long time.

doylef4i · Mar 31, 2016

got any zoas in your tank? I got one that only ate zoas for a month at the store. When I got it home it ate everything in a few days.

Circular potato · Apr 1, 2016

I have 1 paly that hitchhiked on a piece of liverock and is still there today.

eatbreakfast · Apr 1, 2016

As stated, picking at the rock is a good sign. Clams on the half shell on a calm, peaceful tank, have worked wwell for me in the past.

doylef4i · Apr 1, 2016

My regal ate every zoa and never touched any palys. Not saying to feed it zoas but careful if you add some. Start with something cheap.

Salty1962 · Apr 1, 2016

If it's eating sponges and picking on rocks you may be in good shape. In the wild, sponges are their main diet and then algae. Give it some time. As long as it looks healthy, you don't have anything to worry about. It will eventually see the other fish eating the food and get curious enough to try. Mine eats everything I put in the tank but for the first week it only grazed. Good luck, they're beautiful fish.

4FordFamily · Apr 1, 2016

Live blackworms are like crack to these guys..

Circular potato · Apr 1, 2016

Salty1962 said:
If it's eating sponges and picking on rocks you may be in good shape. In the wild, sponges are their main diet and then algae. Give it some time. As long as it looks healthy, you don't have anything to worry about. It will eventually see the other fish eating the food and get curious enough to try. Mine eats everything I put in the tank but for the first week it only grazed. Good luck, they're beautiful fish.

I hope, I don't want to lose such a beautiful fish. It mainly hides in a cave, and doesn't seem to interested when I feed the tank.

4FordFamily said:
Live blackworms are like crack to these guys..

I would give it a shot, but don't have access to any in my area.

Salty1962 · Apr 2, 2016

Circular potato said:
I hope, I don't want to lose such a beautiful fish. It mainly hides in a cave, and doesn't seem to interested when I feed the tank.

I would give it a shot, but don't have access to any in my area.

Even when they're acclimated and eating, they will probably still hide in caves and over hangs. It's what they do plus being shy fish. Just a FYI from having several of they. JME

4FordFamily · Apr 2, 2016

Circular potato said:
I hope, I don't want to lose such a beautiful fish. It mainly hides in a cave, and doesn't seem to interested when I feed the tank.

I would give it a shot, but don't have access to any in my area.

Order online. California black worms google it

Circular potato · Apr 7, 2016

Some great news today, I saw the regal out openly swimming and eating like a pig after about 2 weeks.

It seems to be slowly gaining weight and I have high hopes for this one to make it.

Salty1962 · Apr 7, 2016

Circular potato said:
Some great news today, I saw the regal out openly swimming and eating like a pig after about 2 weeks.
It seems to be slowly gaining weight and I have high hopes for this one to make it.

That's great, it should just get better from here!

Cabo31 · Apr 7, 2016

What

Circular potato said:
Some great news today, I saw the regal out openly swimming and eating like a pig after about 2 weeks.
It seems to be slowly gaining weight and I have high hopes for this one to make it.

What is it eating?