Description
Goldflake Angelfish (Apolemichthys xanthopunctatus)
Apolemichthys xanthopunctatus – The goldflake angelfish is a “holy grail” species for many aquarists. They are adorned with shiny gold scales that glisten as they swim around your aquarium. Juveniles have a light gold body with a black mask and prominent eye spot. Adults develop deep shining gold coloration and blue lipstick and fin edges that catches actinic light just right. This species is rare in the trade due to their limited collection, so captive-bred options are always in demand.
This is one of the more “reef safe with caution” large angelfish species, but highly risk averse reefers may want to avoid them, still, since some individuals develop a taste for Zoas, LPS corals, clams, etc. as they age. Reefers report, however, that captive bred Goldflakes are even less likely to eat coral than their wild counterparts, even as adults.
Some Goldflakes can grow up to 9,” so they do best in a 120 gallon or larger aquarium as adults. Our young Goldflakes of course can be grown in smaller tanks. It’s always wise to add new fish to your aquarium using an acclimation box since they are small on arrival. These fish can become territorial as they age, so it is important to be strategic with future inhabitants once added.
Wild caught Goldflake Angelfish are notoriously picky eaters when first introduced to a new aquarium. Captive bred Goldflakes are much easier to feed and hardier. We recommend a variety of angelfish diets which contain sponge and algae, frozen mysis.
Currently ~1″- 1.5″ Sm
See below for more information.
Size and Care Requirements
- Purchase Size: ~1″ – 1.5″ (length)
- Max Size: 9“
- Water Parameters: ~72°- 78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, s.g. 1.021-1.023
- Color: As juveniles they are adorned with extremely bright yellow and blue striations running along the body. As they age the juvenile coloration transitions into green blue with a yellow stripe that runs over the gill plate.
- Reef-Safe: Yes with Caution
- Feeding: Omnivore
Benefits of Aquacultured Fish
Aquacultured angelfish offer many advantages over wild-caught specimens. For example, when captive-bred, they adjust much more easily to aquarium life. They are also less likely to carry disease. Aquacultured specimens can better tolerate shipping stress. Most importantly, by purchasing aquacultured fish you support the aquaculture of marine organisms and help to make our hobby more sustainable!
100% Alive on Arrival (AoA) Guarantee
We guarantee that every angelfish we sell will be Alive on Arrival and in good health. Should it arrive in any other state, we will either replace it free of charge (including shipping) or issue store credit if the total livestock loss is under $40. For more information, please visit our 100% Alive On Arrival Guarantee page.
