Regal Angel refuses to feed

[Ianb]

Recently purchased - 10 days ago - Red Sea Regal Angel now refuses to feed. Was feeding in shop - brine shrimp / mysis. Would only eat fresh mussel first few days at home but now is not interested in live brine shrimp, mysis, shrimp, krill, cockle in shell or fresh mussel.
100 gall fish only tank, all usual water conditions fine, 10% water change every 2 weeks, no bullying.
The Regal spends most of its time in a cave out of sight. No signs of disease.
Any suggestions on how to start this one feeding again ?

 

[AF Founder]

Recently purchased - 10 days ago - Red Sea Regal Angel now refuses to feed. Was feeding in shop - brine shrimp / mysis. Would only eat fresh mussel first few days at home but now is not interested in live brine shrimp, mysis, shrimp, krill, cockle in shell or fresh mussel.
100 gall fish only tank, all usual water conditions fine, 10% water change every 2 weeks, no bullying.
The Regal spends most of its time in a cave out of sight. No signs of disease.
Any suggestions on how to start this one feeding again ?

Give it more time, and offer it what it ate at the LPS. Regals are very shy at first, and you provided it with a hiding place, so it's hiding.

 

[Ianb]

Many thanks for your response. Yesterday, the Regal was far more adventurous so I'm now hopeful.

 

[Ianb]

Regal Angel now feeding !
Angel / Butterfly mix left to dry on rock for 2 days and then placed in tank.

 

[MadZ]

hi Ianb....how did you manage to start its feeding??? I am facing the same near problem. What should i give it to feed. I am new at this hobby and i am so worried about my regal angel. Please write me if it is not too much to ask. Thanks......

MadZ

 

[MadZ]

hi Ianb....how did you manage to start its feeding??? I am facing the same near problem. What should i give it to feed. I am new at this hobby and i am so worried about my regal angel. Please write me if it is not too much to ask. Thanks......

MadZ

 

[Ianb]

Madz
firstly, build a cave so it can hide and feel safe
then try what the shop was feeding it on and drop the food down into the cave - they tend to feed off the floor !
try also fresh mussel in the shell from the fishmonger
there is also an angel/butterfly mix which includes sponge
make sure your water conditions are excellent - low nitrates and redox 350-400
you will stand an even better chance if you have a reef set up rather than fish only
rgds
Ian

 

[mike dizon]

In my experience keeping this fish, is harder to keep than any other angelfish. Sometimes they stop eating for no reason and just die. Its best if you keep them along friendly tank mates. I agree they need alot of hidding space and good water quality. I have been lucky my regal angel learned to eat fast and its been in my showroom tank more than a 5 months already. I kept it together with my pinatus bat fish which is about 1 year old along with many cardinal fishes and dwarf angels.

I feel the smaller one 3-4" adapt better than the big regal angels.
By the way, I feel this is one of the most beautiful angelfish you can keep.

Mike Dizon

 

[ca1ore]

I recently purchased an Indo Regal and after almost 3 weeks he/she is eating very well. I am fortunate to have a productive refugium as part of my reef setup and that is where the regal is currently living. This refugium has an extensive population of copepods and mysid shrimp (or at least it did before I introduced the regal!) which apparently induced the fish to feed. He/she now accepts most kinds of frozen foods, although does show a preference for frozen mysids.

This fish did develop a mild case of the viral 'cauliflower fin' but that appears to be clearing up.

The final step will be to introduce the regal into my nain tank (fingers crossed!).

Simon