Goldflake Angelfish

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. 

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, and Pellets