Opinion on captive bred goldflake angelfish?

[jwheels10]

Hello all, so I’m thinking about purchasing a captive bred goldflake angelfish, and was wondering if it will live or not. The fish to chose from are about 2.5 inches( I’ll post pictures) does anyone have experience or know if these will survive? I would keep it in a 20 gallon quarantine with a pair of non aggressive healthy clowns for 2-3 months where I can watch it, feed it, and grow it. It will then go into a 180. If you do think I should purchase one, which one looks best?

 

[sdreef]

Hello all, so I’m thinking about purchasing a captive bred goldflake angelfish, and was wondering if it will live or not. The fish to chose from are about 2.5 inches( I’ll post pictures) does anyone have experience or know if these will survive? I would keep it in a 20 gallon quarantine with a pair of non aggressive healthy clowns for 2-3 months where I can watch it, feed it, and grow it. It will then go into a 180. If you do think I should purchase one, which one looks best?

I'll share my experience. Here is my progression for my captive-bred goldflake, was under 2" when I received him. He grew up in a high flow 330 gallon sps system from this small size.



November 2022

December 2023

February 2025

Conditioning captive bred fish in a separate system is a good idea in general. But the only compatibility issue I experienced was with my female occelaris clownfish toward the angel. She pursued the angel to the opposite side of the 7 foot system and would have killed the angel without question if I hadn't removed her to a separate system. Eventually, once the angel was larger, I was able to add the clownfish back. Clearly when it comes to compatibility ymmv, but that was my experience and something to consider if you're adding to a 20 gallon with a pair of clownfish.

 

[jwheels10]

I'll share my experience. Here is my progression for my captive-bred goldflake, was under 2" when I received him. He grew up in a high flow 330 gallon sps system from this small size.



November 2022

December 2023

February 2025

Conditioning captive bred fish in a separate system is a good idea in general. But the only compatibility issue I experienced was with my female occelaris clownfish toward the angel. She pursued the angel to the opposite side of the 7 foot system and would have killed the angel without question if I hadn't removed her to a separate system. Eventually, once the angel was larger, I was able to add the clownfish back. Clearly when it comes to compatibility ymmv, but that was my experience and something to consider if you're adding to a 20 gallon with a pair of clownfish.

@sdreef That’s an absoulutely stunning goldflake, one of the best looking I’ve seen. The clownfish are really chill and there’s no need to worry about them, they’ve been in quarantine with a 3.5 inch blue face and a extremely mellow 3 inch chrysurus and they don’t pick on anyone. What have you done to have success with that buetiful goldflake?

 

[sdreef]

@sdreef That’s an absoulutely stunning goldflake, one of the best looking I’ve seen. The clownfish are really chill and there’s no need to worry about them, they’ve been in quarantine with a 3.5 inch blue face and a extremely mellow 3 inch chrysurus and they don’t pick on anyone. What have you done to have success with that buetiful goldflake?

I have a generally peaceful system where the fish all get along, that's probably the single most important factor. I also feed the system heavily. Good luck!

 

[jwheels10]

I have a generally peaceful system where the fish all get along, that's probably the single most important factor. I also feed the system heavily. Good luck!

Thank you, based on responses when I posted this on other forums I think I will buy one, and I’ll give updates.

 

[Viking_Reefing]

I have one that’s about 5 years old or so. I generally don’t like the CB angels as several friends have had them croak and a buddy who has a shop has the same experience when they come in very small. I tried to source a WC one but that was a no go so bit the bullet and went with a CB one.
Dude has been rock solid. Even tried to fight a 15cm Achilles at about 5cm haha

 

[jwheels10]

I have one that’s about 5 years old or so. I generally don’t like the CB angels as several friends have had them croak and a buddy who has a shop has the same experience when they come in very small. I tried to source a WC one but that was a no go so bit the bullet and went with a CB one.
Dude has been rock solid. Even tried to fight a 15cm Achilles at about 5cm haha

@Viking_Reefing Oh my gosh I love your content so much! I love your captive bred goldflake angel and that’s what inspired me to get one!! It’s so awesome to see you here!

 

[jwheels10]

I have one that’s about 5 years old or so. I generally don’t like the CB angels as several friends have had them croak and a buddy who has a shop has the same experience when they come in very small. I tried to source a WC one but that was a no go so bit the bullet and went with a CB one.
Dude has been rock solid. Even tried to fight a 15cm Achilles at about 5cm haha

@Viking_Reefing what specific things do you think I can do to give him the best chance at survival? He would not be around corals so I don’t have to worry about that. Also, basically my whole tank idea is based off of yours with mixing large angelfish, as I have 4 together right now because in my opinion they are the best looking fish, and the goldflake is one of the most beautiful! I’ve been waiting to get more experienced before I spent this much money on a fish, so now the time has come to decide to get one or not. Thank you so much for responding I never expected to see you here!

 

[Viking_Reefing]

@Viking_Reefing what specific things do you think I can do to give him the best chance at survival? He would not be around corals so I don’t have to worry about that. Also, basically my whole tank idea is based off of yours with mixing large angelfish, as I have 4 together right now because in my opinion they are the best looking fish, and the goldflake is one of the most beautiful! I’ve been waiting to get more experienced before I spent this much money on a fish, so now the time has come to decide to get one or not. Thank you so much for responding I never expected to see you here!

Glad to hear that you like my stuff and that I’ve managed to inspire you somewhat!

My main recommendations would be frequent feeding. I aim for 4-5 times a day and make sure it gets a lot of sponge and algae in its diet.

I do lurk around here a bit and try to participate as much as I can :)

 

[jwheels10]

@Viking_Reefing what foods with sponge should I feed? I make sure they get lots of algae in algae enhanced frozen food, nori, and pellets, And feed 2-3 times a day. I will feed more, but it’s a bit difficult because I don’t get home from school until 4

Glad to hear that you like my stuff and that I’ve managed to inspire you somewhat!

My main recommendations would be frequent feeding. I aim for 4-5 times a day and make sure it gets a lot of sponge and algae in its diet.

I do lurk around here a bit and try to participate as much as I can :)

 

[Viking_Reefing]

@Viking_Reefing what foods with sponge should I feed? I make sure they get lots of algae in algae enhanced frozen food, nori, and pellets, And feed 2-3 times a day. I will feed more, but it’s a bit difficult because I don’t get home from school until 4

I use a lot of ocean nutrition angel formula. There used to be pellets from panta rhei that contained sponge but sadly they are discontinued.

Get an auto feeder ;)

 

[bradreef]

A friend of mine has had one for 3-4 months and it is one of his best fish imo. It acclimated really well in a 20 gallon qt tank and ate aggressively. He just added it in an 8 ft tank with 8 big tangs, trigger, and 2 other small angels. It swims with the other fish and has zero aggressive from them. It eats pellet, flake, frozen. FYI, there is a frozen ocean nutrition angel formula.