Goldflake Angel in reef
- Thread starter DKRT0821
- Start date
seaguy7
Premium Member
I had one for about 2 weeks. I thought it was doing great. Within a couple days of acclimating, it was eating a lot, flake, mysis and Angel formula, was very active and looked great. I had no idea it had a problem, one morning it looked great and that afternoon it was dead. I knew they were not the easiest angel to keep, but I have had good luck with all my fish and I have a 240 gallon tank with 200 lbs of LR and excellent parameters so I thought it would be fine. I have since done more reading in books and on-line and it seems they are quite difficult to keep and I have read more than one account similar to mine where they die unexpectedly within a couple months of acquiring.
Marinedepotlive says: "Although this Angel is not known as an easy species to keep, many have been successfully kept with the right kind of care. "
Vividaquariums says: "Although Vivid Aquariums guarantees that all aquatic life will arrive alive and healthy we cannot guarantee the Goldflake Angel after arrival due to the high level of care this species requires. We recommend that only experienced hobbyists or public aquariums purchase this species. "
There are a few accounts here on RC of people keeping them successfully so I don't know what the issue is.
Mine never touched any of my corals (soft, LPS and SPS). They are beautiful fish and I would love to have one, but I am staying away until I hear more stories of success. For some reason, they seem to be much more available over the last couple of months so maybe we'll start hearing more about them. Prices have come down slightly but they are still very pricey. If you end up getting one, let us know how how it goes.
-Greg
Marinedepotlive says: "Although this Angel is not known as an easy species to keep, many have been successfully kept with the right kind of care. "
Vividaquariums says: "Although Vivid Aquariums guarantees that all aquatic life will arrive alive and healthy we cannot guarantee the Goldflake Angel after arrival due to the high level of care this species requires. We recommend that only experienced hobbyists or public aquariums purchase this species. "
There are a few accounts here on RC of people keeping them successfully so I don't know what the issue is.
Mine never touched any of my corals (soft, LPS and SPS). They are beautiful fish and I would love to have one, but I am staying away until I hear more stories of success. For some reason, they seem to be much more available over the last couple of months so maybe we'll start hearing more about them. Prices have come down slightly but they are still very pricey. If you end up getting one, let us know how how it goes.
-Greg
I am most likely getting one on Monday. They are still pricy, most of the ones that I have found are in the $200+, so I do hope it does well in my tank. I had a regal angel before that lasted 2 months, it died because of my purple tang keep beating on it. I finally got the purple tang out, but the stress on the regal was too far induced. Oh well, thanks for the info. For some reason, liveaquaria.com indicates the goldflake angel requires a moderate care. So I am not sure, except that I do have to agree they are absolutely beautiful. Thanks again!
LargeAngels
Premium Member
Watch out for skin flukes. 2 out of 3 goldflakes I received had skin flukes. Only one that didn't was one that had been kept for about 4 years. One of them I didn't realize until it was too late and by that time the eyes were too infected. You can't see the skin flukes until they cover the eyes. A 2 minute FW dip in a clear container is one of the only ways to tell. If so treat with Prazipro or Fluke tabs. Prazipro is less harsh.
LargeAngels
Premium Member
Read everything "just dave" wrote in this thread.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=728190
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=728190
Excellent thread!
I've had a Goldflake in my 155 reef tank for about 5 months at this point. The fish has been doing well overall & just about eats right out of my hand. The only thing that it has eaten in the tank were some brown button polyps, other than that it has not bothered anything else in the tank including a Crocea clam. Although, I would not say that they are "reef safe". In this case, I feel that different fish will react & act differently depending on their nature. So, if you plan on purchasing this particular species just be aware of that.
Interestingly, at one point the fish jumped out of the tank & I had luckily just gotten home & found it on the floor in my fish tank room. The skin was still damp so I immediately put it back in the tank. Fortunately, it made a complete recovery! I don't know how "hardy" these fish are supposed to be but in this case I guess it was able to survive. Pretty amazing if you ask me.
I never treated this fish beforehand prior to placeing it in the tank. However, if I had read Dave's excellent post first I surely would have. I have noticed "outbrakes" of what I believe to be these skin flukes, especially around the eyes. However, I have 3 nice sized cleaner shrimp in my tank & I really believe that they are keeping any serious infection at bay. I have noticed that the fish is being "cleaned" frequently by the shrimp. I realize that this is anecdotal but it appears to be the case, at least I hope so.
BTW, this is the only large fish in the tank. All of the other fish are much smaller & include Anthias, Pseudochromis, Blennies, Firefish, & a Mandarin. Thus far it has not bothered any of the other fish in the tank & seems overall very tolerant & peaceful indeed.
DKRT: Good luck with the fish if you get one but if I were you I would treat it prior to placing it in your main display.
Steve
I've had a Goldflake in my 155 reef tank for about 5 months at this point. The fish has been doing well overall & just about eats right out of my hand. The only thing that it has eaten in the tank were some brown button polyps, other than that it has not bothered anything else in the tank including a Crocea clam. Although, I would not say that they are "reef safe". In this case, I feel that different fish will react & act differently depending on their nature. So, if you plan on purchasing this particular species just be aware of that.
Interestingly, at one point the fish jumped out of the tank & I had luckily just gotten home & found it on the floor in my fish tank room. The skin was still damp so I immediately put it back in the tank. Fortunately, it made a complete recovery! I don't know how "hardy" these fish are supposed to be but in this case I guess it was able to survive. Pretty amazing if you ask me.
I never treated this fish beforehand prior to placeing it in the tank. However, if I had read Dave's excellent post first I surely would have. I have noticed "outbrakes" of what I believe to be these skin flukes, especially around the eyes. However, I have 3 nice sized cleaner shrimp in my tank & I really believe that they are keeping any serious infection at bay. I have noticed that the fish is being "cleaned" frequently by the shrimp. I realize that this is anecdotal but it appears to be the case, at least I hope so.
BTW, this is the only large fish in the tank. All of the other fish are much smaller & include Anthias, Pseudochromis, Blennies, Firefish, & a Mandarin. Thus far it has not bothered any of the other fish in the tank & seems overall very tolerant & peaceful indeed.
DKRT: Good luck with the fish if you get one but if I were you I would treat it prior to placing it in your main display.
Steve
LargeAngels
Premium Member
FW dips does not kill the eggs.
LargeAngels
Premium Member
DKRT0821: I prefer Prazipro.
seaguy7: If it wouldn't have been for the flukes I think all three would be alive. I sold one and got the large one.
seaguy7: If it wouldn't have been for the flukes I think all three would be alive. I sold one and got the large one.
LargeAngels
Premium Member
Mine eats flake, mysis, brine, Nori, F1, F2, Spectrum pellets. I have found that most large angels love spectrum pellets.
LargeAngels
Premium Member
LargeAngels
Premium Member
I have not medicated past 5 days with Prazipro. Double check the bottle once you get it though.
