# Regal Angelfish (*Pygoplites diacanthus*) The Regal Angelfish has bright colors and beautiful patterns. It loves to hide among corals and is very shy. - **Category:** [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fish) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Coral reefs - **Also known as:** Royal Angelfish ![Regal Angelfish](https://media.snappit.app/site-media-v1/d33348a4f9b7ae031b1d038da83640db88fbf31c8b5cd0d47c1e5abef5a90082/image-560x560/w-560.webp) ## Appearance The Regal Angelfish has a striking body with alternating bright blue-white and yellow-orange vertical stripes. A distinctive dark blue spot with a lighter blue rim adorns its dorsal fin, and its tail fin is a vibrant yellow. This bold pattern makes it easily recognizable among reef fish. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Actinopterygii - **Order:** Perciformes - **Family:** Pomacanthidae - **Genus:** Pygoplites ## Interesting facts - Each angelfish has a unique stripe pattern, like a fishy fingerprint! - They can make a clicking sound using special bones in their heads! - They often sleep on their sides at night, looking quite peculiar! - Young Regal Angelfish look very different from the adults! ## Special abilities - **Reef Forager:** Regal Angelfish has a small, brush-like mouth that helps them delicately pick tiny invertebrates and coral polyps from tight reef crevices. - **Territorial Defender:** Regal Angelfish can display aggressive fin movements and charge at intruders, helping them defend their feeding grounds on the reef. - **Pattern Camouflage:** Regal Angelfish has disruptive vertical stripes that help them blend with the complex patterns of coral, confusing predators. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 15-25 cm - **Weight:** 0.1-0.3 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-15 years - **Swim Speed:** 5 km/h - **Maximum Depth:** 80 m - **Water Type:** Saltwater ## Diet & Feeding Regal Angelfish mainly munches on sponges, tunicates, and coral polyps found among vibrant coral reefs. - **Age differences:** null - **Primary Foods:** sponges, tunicates, coral polyps, algae - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Shelter:** Staghorn Coral (*Acropora millepora*) — Provides shelter and food source. - **Eats:** Bath Sponge (*Spongia officinalis*) — A primary food source for this fish. - **Eaten by:** Grey Reef Shark (*Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos*) — A common predator of adult fish. - **Eats:** Stony Coral (*Porites lutea*) — Feeds on polyps from this coral. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Marine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/marine): Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life. ## Collections - [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fish) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Watch quietly from a distance and never try to feed or chase wild animals. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Regal Angelfish? Look at body shape, where the fins sit and their outline, mouth position, stripes and spots. Young fish and breeding adults can wear different patterns, and aquarium color varieties can look nothing like wild fish. Fish Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Regal Angelfish? 15-25 cm ### How much does Regal Angelfish weigh? 0.1-0.3 kg ### How long does Regal Angelfish live? 10-15 years ### What does Regal Angelfish eat? Regal Angelfish mainly munches on sponges, tunicates, and coral polyps found among vibrant coral reefs. ### How fast can Regal Angelfish swim? 5 km/h ### Where is Regal Angelfish usually found? Coral reefs ### How does Regal Angelfish hunt? Foraging ## More Fish - [Rainbow Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rainbow-trout) (*Oncorhynchus mykiss*) - [Brown Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-trout) (*Salmo trutta*) - [Brook Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brook-trout) (*Salvelinus fontinalis*) - [Lake Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lake-trout) (*Salvelinus namaycush*) --- Source: [Regal Angelfish: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/regal-angelfish)