Fish
Regal Angelfish
Pygoplites diacanthus · also called royal angelfish
Slipping out from beneath a ledge to pick at a sponge, a regal angelfish shows off alternating bands of orange and blue-white before retreating just as quickly, a beautiful but famously fragile reef fish.
Overview
The regal angelfish, Pygoplites diacanthus, is native to ocean and coastal reef habitat across the Indo-Pacific region. Its bold banded colouring, specialised sponge-and-tunicate diet, and shy, crevice-hugging habits make it one of the most admired and most demanding marine angelfish.
Beauty with a difficult appetite
The regal angelfish’s looks make it a favourite of aquarium keepers, but its narrow, sponge-based diet is hard to match outside the reef, which is why it has a reputation for faring poorly in captivity.
Status
Least Concern, remaining widespread across suitable reef habitat throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
Regal Angelfish: common questions
Why is the regal angelfish so hard to keep in an aquarium?
It depends on a diet of sponges and tunicates that is difficult to replicate in captivity, and it is shy and easily stressed, so many captured individuals do not survive for long.
What does a regal angelfish look like?
It shows alternating orange and blue-white vertical bands across its body, with a bright yellow tail and a blue-edged dorsal fin.
Is the regal angelfish closely related to other angelfish species?
It is a marine angelfish, but it is the only member of its genus, Pygoplites, rather than one of several near-identical species.
Where is the regal angelfish found?
It is native to ocean and coastal reef habitat across the Indo-Pacific region.