Apolemichthys xanthopunctatus

Burgess, 1973

Goldflake Angelfish, Golden Spotted Angelfish

Range: Central Pacific Ocean: Caroline Islands, and east to the Gilbert, Gilbert, Phoenix, Cook and Line Islands.

Size: 10 inches (25 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits lagoons, boat channels, seaward slopes at depths between 10 to 250 feet (3 – 80 m) and has a natural diet mainly of sponges and tunicates.

General Husbandry: This beautiful angelfish, which is frequently available in the trade, has a yellowish body with many bright yellow spots with its lips rimmed in blue. There’s also a black spot on its forehead, and its dorsal, caudal and anal fins are black with blue edging.

When first introduced into the aquarium, preferably a well-established fish-only aquarium with lots of live rock and cave areas, it should be offered several daily feedings so as to quickly acclimate it to its surroundings. As to diet, a wide variety of frozen foods including fortified brine shrimp, mysis, and especially those containing sponge matter/angelfish food preparations should be offered once or twice a day after its acclimated to its surroundings. Some frozen or flake foods, especially those containing Spirulina should also be offered, as algae, especially Spirulina is a healthy addition to all that consume it, as will this species in captivity.

Depending upon its tankmates, it can be quite shy when first entering the aquarium, and may hide in caves and crevices. But as time passes, will become more outgoing and begin to establish its territory, yet those in this genus fish are almost always very good tankmates and considered one of the least aggressive in the family.

Taxonomy:

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Percoidei

Family: Pomacanthidae

Genus: Apolemichthys

FYI: Keeping more than one genus of angelfishes in the same aquarium is possible, yet depends upon several aspects. The following suggested circumstances are just that, possibilities that when heeded and adjusted to actual aquarium conditions ‘may’ make multiple angelfish collections feasible.

Aquarium size – the larger the better.

Other species from the same genus should not be in the same aquarium.

The smallest and most docile genus species should be the first introduced with the largest and most malicious the last to be added.

Do not place similar coloration species in the same aquarium.

Those already in the aquarium should be well fed before adding a newcomer.

Have sufficient hiding places/rocky caves.

Keep in mind all angels have cheekspines at the edge of their gill cover; therefore use caution when handling and also avoid using a net to capture it, as it may become stuck or tangled in the net and become damaged when removed.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Diet: Omnivore

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Fish-only aquarium

Reef Safe: No - will nip clam mantles, large and small polyped stony (LPS/SPS) corals and some soft corals.

Minimum Tank Size: 150 gallons

Temperature Range: 74 - 82°F (23 – 28°C).

Specific Gravity: 1.020-1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5