Goldflake Angelfish
$1,000.00
Only 1 left in stock
Description
goldflake angelfish
The goldflake angelfish (
Apolemichthys xanthopunctatus) is a striking marine fish known for its semi-aggressive temperament and speckled yellow and gold coloration. Native to the coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific, this species is a popular, though moderately challenging, aquarium fish that can live for 10 to 15 years in captivity.
Appearance
- Adults: The body is a muted yellow-brown color, covered in bright, metallic yellow-gold spots that give the fish its name.
- Fins: They have velvety black dorsal, anal, and caudal fins, with a vivid electric blue trim.
- Face: The lips and the area around the mouth are a prominent purple or bright blue.
- Juveniles: Younger fish have a distinct appearance with a bright yellow body and a vertical eye stripe, which fades with age. A dark spot remains above the eye in adults.
Care requirements
- Tank size: A minimum tank size of 120 to 125 gallons is recommended for a single goldflake angelfish to accommodate its active nature and maximum size of about 10 inches.
- Diet: As an omnivore, it requires a varied diet, including:
- High-quality angelfish preparations containing sponge material.
- Meaty foods like mysis and brine shrimp.
- Marine algae and spirulina, including seaweed sheets.
- Feeding two to three times daily helps curb its appetite and reduces the likelihood of it nipping at corals.
- Water parameters: Maintain stable, high water quality within these ranges:
- Temperature: 74° to 78°F (23° to 26°C)
- pH: 8.1 to 8.4
- Salinity: 1.020 to 1.025
- Aquascape: A mature tank with ample live rock is best, as it provides plenty of hiding spots and grazing opportunities.
- Handling: Exercise caution when handling, as angelfish have cheek spines that can cause injury or become entangled in a net.
Compatibility and temperament
- Temperament: This species is semi-aggressive and can become territorial as it ages. It is best kept with other semi-aggressive or larger fish.
- Tank mates: It is best housed individually or as a mated pair. It is generally not compatible with other angelfish species due to aggression. Compatible tank mates can include tangs, some butterflyfish, and wrasses.
- Reef safe with caution: The goldflake angelfish’s status in a reef tank is mixed. While some individuals coexist peacefully, others may nip at soft and large polyp stony (LPS) corals, clams, and other invertebrates. Captive-bred goldflakes are often more “reef-safe” than wild-caught specimens. For those unwilling to risk their coral, a fish-only with live rock (FOWLR) tank is a safer option.
Availability
- Historically rare: The goldflake angelfish was once a rare and expensive “collector’s species” in the aquarium hobby.
- Captive-bred: The availability of hardier captive-bred specimens has made this fish more accessible and a better candidate for aquarium life.
Additional information
| Weight | 16 oz |
|---|
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