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Regal angels have to be one of the most heartbreaking of all marine animals.

They are stunning, but if handled improperly, doomed to die.

Here are a few key points:

1. Yellow belly vs blue/grey belly-Yellow belly regal angels come from the Red Sea, Kenya, Sumatra. Blue/grey belly regals come from Indonesia and Philipines.  The yellow belly ones are much brighter colored, and are typically about twice the price.  They are equal in terms of hardiness.
2. How to get them eating-This is the first big hurdle to overcome.  Your best bet is to have them in a tank with live rock to graze on.  They cannot be in a tank with aggressive eaters who will intimidate them.  Best foods to start with are fresh clams on the 1/2 shell and spirulina flakes if you have good water flow.
3. QT or not QT?-While it is always best to QT if possible, regal angels need to be handled delicately.  They will not do well in a sterile, medicated QT tank.  If you have a non-medicated QT tank with live rock, figure 30 gal min, then great.  Otherwise, you are left with 2 poor choices-don’t QT and risk your DT, or QT and risk your regal.
4. Tankmates-Regal angels need to be in a tank with very docile tankmates-small tangs, anthias, gobies, etc.  They will not typically do well in a tank full of angels with whom they would need to compete with for food.
5. Size-Size does matter.  With regals, the smaller the better.  They acclimate much easier.

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