Would a small Biota regal angelfish be too large for this tank?

[toi_ss]

Hi, Im trying to figure out if it is alright to keep a regal angelfish (smaller captive bred) in a 80 gallon tank. The tank is 200x60x25cm, It is larger in terms of footprint than a standard 125 gallon tank which is what is recommended for this fish but it is nearly half the height. Another option in terms of tank size could be 150x80x25cm which is the exact same volume. I would prefer the 2nd option but if you guys think that it is necessary to have the longer tank for this fish than that is probably what I will do.

Edit: both sizes would work if I was following jay hemdal's article "Estimating the Need for Swimming Space for Aquarium Fishes" but im asking due to the shallow height and that most people recommend around 6 feet or 180cm

 

[fishywishy]

A small one would be okay in there for a year or 2, but once it gets big you’re definitely gonna need to upgrade or give it away.

 

[toi_ss]

@Jay Hemdal

 

[i cant think]

Hi, Im trying to figure out if it is alright to keep a regal angelfish (smaller captive bred) in a 80 gallon tank. The tank is 200x60x25cm, It is larger in terms of footprint than a standard 125 gallon tank which is what is recommended for this fish but it is nearly half the height. Another option in terms of tank size could be 150x80x25cm which is the exact same volume. I would prefer the 2nd option but if you guys think that it is necessary to have the longer tank for this fish than that is probably what I will do.

Edit: both sizes would work if I was following jay hemdal's article "Estimating the Need for Swimming Space for Aquarium Fishes" but im asking due to the shallow height and that most people recommend around 6 feet or 180cm

If I’m honest, a Regal Angel generally maxes out at 5-6 inches in captivity - they aren’t huge due to their slow growth rate.
A 5’ tank is great for this species long term, I think most people recommend 6’ tanks due to them normally not being the biggest fish in the tank and instead being with 7-8 other large species.

 

[toi_ss]

If I’m honest, a Regal Angel generally maxes out at 5-6 inches in captivity - they aren’t huge due to their slow growth rate.
A 5’ tank is great for this species long term, I think most people recommend 6’ tanks due to them normally not being the biggest fish in the tank and instead being with 7-8 other large species.

Yeah thanks for the input, the tank will be mostly swimming room for fish and be lightly aquascaped to sort of bring the shallow lagoon look. Do you think that the shallowness of the tank would be an issue? Im planning on having a 5 cm (2") sandbed so the swimming room for fish would only be 20cm or 8". I won't have a lid on the tank because I will have a rock island with some mangroves but I will build an enclosed mesh canopy (made from the same clear mesh as the mesh lids) to stop fish jumping.

 

[i cant think]

Yeah thanks for the input, the tank will be mostly swimming room for fish and be lightly aquascaped to sort of bring the shallow lagoon look. Do you think that the shallowness of the tank would be an issue? Im planning on having a 5 cm (2") sandbed so the swimming room for fish would only be 20cm or 8". I won't have a lid on the tank because I will have a rock island with some mangroves but I will build an enclosed mesh canopy (made from the same clear mesh as the mesh lids) to stop fish jumping.

I’d say if possible go a bit deeper - these fish can get fairly deep (3-4 inches at least I’d say).

 

[toi_ss]

I’d say if possible go a bit deeper - these fish can get fairly deep (3-4 inches at least I’d say)

The deepest I could go is 12" for this footprint (360 litres/95 Gallons) because the tank is on the second floor and I want to sleep at night. I think I will go for the 27cm/11" height or 25cm/10" after the sand. I did some calculations and they are on average 3 inches tall. 11" is about 3x the fishes height after I add the sand, I think that would be okay.

 

[Tamberav]

I just want to add that you probably want a tank suitable to grow this fish out. These tiny captive angelfish have been a struggle for many. They need to eat often when small and a tank full of microfauna would be best. They have absolutely zero fat reserves at that size and no room to miss a meal or not meet their caloric needs. Some have been difficult to get feeding despite being captive bred. Have many different foods on hand and ready to try.

The "medium" regals are about 1 inch, so you can imagine what a small may be.

They do not handle medications or disease well at this size either.

You may know all of this but I just want you to be successful

 

[Jay Hemdal]

I’ve not kept one of these Biota fish, but I agree they are very small upon arrival and will do best in a small tank with tons of microfauna and no or peaceful fish until they get some size to them. I also think that as a species, they don’t grow as large in captivity as they do in the wild.

I know in my article that I said water depth is less important for calculating swimming space, but regals are deeper water fish, and I worry that 8” is too shallow for them to feel comfortable.

 

[toi_ss]

I just want to add that you probably want a tank suitable to grow this fish out. These tiny captive angelfish have been a struggle for many. They need to eat often when small and a tank full of microfauna would be best. They have absolutely zero fat reserves at that size and no room to miss a meal or not meet their caloric needs. Some have been difficult to get feeding despite being captive bred. Have many different foods on hand and ready to try.

The "medium" regals are about 1 inch, so you can imagine what a small may be.

They do not handle medications or disease well at this size either.

You may know all of this but I just want you to be successful

Yeah, I have previously kept a stethojulis species wrasse which needs around 12+ feedings per day so I will reuse the auto feeder that I used for that tank for this one. I will probably feed 4-6x per day. All other fish that I will be keeping with this are peaceful wrasses (macropharyngodon,halichoeres, maybe anampses), gobies, a pair of Janss' Pipefish and some cardinals.

 

[iReefer12]

First hand experience, these fish come in really small, they grow very, very slowly. They need plenty of microfauna and pods to supplement the diet.

I think this tank sounds perfect. Should get 3-4 years at least before he outgrows.

My regal came in about 0.5” to 0.75” and after 5 months, he’s now maybe, maybe 1”.. but probably more like 0.875”.. he just looks fatter but not actually that much bigger.

 

[toi_ss]

I’ve not kept one of these Biota fish, but I agree they are very small upon arrival and will do best in a small tank with tons of microfauna and no or peaceful fish until they get some size to them. I also think that as a species, they don’t grow as large in captivity as they do in the wild.

I know in my article that I said water depth is less important for calculating swimming space, but regals are deeper water fish, and I worry that 8” is too shallow for them to feel comfortable.

I will only be keeping them with peaceful fish that tend to stay smaller than 4" except for a few wrasses. The tank itself is 10" tall with a 1-2" sandbed. I could increase the height to 11" which is still quite shallow but after I account for the sand its around 3x the height of the fish. According to fishbase they are found up to depths of 48m but are also found in shallow coral rich lagoon type enviroments.

 

[OrionN]

Regal angel is one of the angels that has very slow growth rate even if they feed well. This is in my experiences of keeping about 5 from small size of about 1 inches. They are much slower in growth than any other fishes I have by a long shot. I always feed my fish well. I don't have larger angel in the tank either but had larger tangs with them in a 320 gal tank.