Goldflake Temperament vs Tangs

[iced98lx]

Hi all, a question about temperament of goldflakes vs tangs: I have a very peaceful 180 gallon setup with mostly anthias and wrasses as well as a copper band butterfly. Currently the CBB shares dominance with a red stripe hogfish who is the biggest bully in the tank. For a tank full of jumpers I haven't had anyone jump and I do attribute that along with the amount the anthias are out and about to the nature of the other fish I've chosen. I have a few more wrasses I'd like to add and maybe some barnacle blennies but at that point I'm ready to add the "Final Fish" (ha). For a while now I've been planning that to be a single Zebrasoma (Yellow/Purple/Black - leaning towards purple) but have grown fond of the idea of finding a gold flake angel (Apolemichthys xanthopunctatus) instead. Cost aside, I'm wondering which fish will keep the current peaceful feel in the tank?

Opinions welcome!

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

Can't speak for the Angel but the purple can be food aggressive, mine prevented a Genicanthus from turning male. 2 days after removal the change started.
Never had a Goldflake but that's my vote.

 

[marty9876]

My goldflake is in the middle of the pack angel wise for my tank but I've never noticed any aggression out of him nor do I think they have a reputation for aggression. Purple tangs are mean pricks.

 

[d-man]

My old goldflake was very peaceful. Kept to himself and left tangs alone.
He however did munch of the occasional zoas, and would decimate and new acans or scoly/fleshy lps I put in

My black tang is also peaceful. Purples can be troublesome when larger

 

[snorvich]

My goldflake is in the middle of the pack angel wise for my tank but I've never noticed any aggression out of him nor do I think they have a reputation for aggression. Purple tangs are mean pricks.

Goldflakes are peaceful. Zebrasoma tangs in general, are not. Longer term, I would be more concerned about the hogfish, especially with wrasses.

 

[iced98lx]

Goldflakes are peaceful. Zebrasoma tangs in general, are not. Longer term, I would be more concerned about the hogfish, especially with wrasses.

The hogfish is a timebomb and this I know. He has eaten tankmates in the past and will again should they be small enough. He luckily did not go after two very small wrasses when I added them but I do realize he'll need to go eventually as he continues to grow. I have mentioned in several other posts about these fish to consider them NOT peaceful as he has a serious attitude. His coloration and coral-safe nature seem to be encouraging sales on places like DD.

I'm feeling like waiting for a small 3-4 inch goldflake may be worth it here to maintain the feel of the community tank, or choosing to just go without anything other than some additional wrasses and other non-agressive fish. Perhaps a pair of hawkfish once all the other fish are adult size may be less risky.

 

[kmbyrnes]

My goldflake is still pretty small, about 3". Only a little over an inch when purchased.
She doesn't cause trouble, but takes no guff from a anyone.
The Naso is easily 10x her size but she is right in there at feeding time.

 

[droth335]

We have a 5" goldflake that is not aggressive but is pretty much the second in command after a 9"+ sailfin tang. Other tank mates are blue face, regal and flame angels, moorish idol, blue tang and mandarin. Definitely less aggressive than purple or yellow tangs in my experience.

 

[joeisgod47]

I have a gold flake a purple and a blue tang, a potters, a flame, a scribble and a emperor angel all in a 200g with no problems they are all friends not even a little bullying at all! just turn the lights off and feed heavy you should be fine... They have been in this setup for 4 years! No corals tho my gold flake even picked at xenia and he loved Zoe's and brain corals in my smaller tank.