The Regal Angelfish (Pygoplites diacanthus), also known as the Royal Angelfish, is a species of marine angelfish belonging to the family Pomacanthidae, and the monotypic genus Pygoplites. It was first formally described in 1772 by the Dutch naturalist Pieter Boddaert. The Regal Angelfish is

Distribution and Habitat

widely distributed throughout the Indo-Pacific. The species can be found in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean around East Africa and the Maldives, stretching to the Tuamoto Islands, New Caledonia, and the Great Barrier Reef. The northernmost limits of its range end in the southern East China Sea around Taiwan and the Ryukyu andOgasawara Islands of Japan.

Physical Description

The body of the Regal Angelfish is moderately elongate and very compressed. The body is edged in narrow blue-white and orange stripes that angle backward. The posterior portion of the dorsal fin is black or blue with close-set blue dots, and the posterior portion of the anal fin has alternating yellow and blue bands. The caudal fin is yellow. Juveniles are colored with a large dark spot on the basal portion of the soft dorsal fin. They have been reported of living 15 years. The Regal Angelfish occurs at depths ranging from 0 to 80 meters, in coral-rich areas of lagoons and reefs, and is often found in the vicinity of caves. It is a carnivorous species that

Diet and Feeding

feeds on sponges and tunicates. It is a non-migratory species that can be found solitary, in pairs, or groups. The Regal Angelfish can be challenging to keep

Aquarium Care

in captivity. A healthy specimen given the right environment will likely start feeding within days when fed a variety of live, frozen, and flake or freeze-dried foods. A hostile environment will directly counter acclimation and feeding efforts. It is valued by aquarium hobbyists for being one of the few relatively reef-safe angelfish as its diet is composed primarily of sponges and does not include corals. The Regal Angelfish requires a tank of at least 100 gallons with stable water conditions and abundant live rock.

Conservation Status

Classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List.