Goldflake vs. Flagfin

[Genera]

So, I've been looking at Goldflake (Apolemichthys Xanthopunctatus) and Flagfin (Apolemichthys Trimaculatus) Angels. The two are similar in size and coloration, but LA says Goldflakes are safe with sessile inverts and coral but Flagfins are not. Also they say Flagfins are more or less difficult to keep than Goldflakes due to feeding habits. I believe Goldflakes eat sponges and tunicates but LA describes Flagfins of being difficult to feed? Does anyone have any experience with one or both of these fish?

 

[CoralsAddiction]

If money isn't an issue go with a goldflake. It's a way prettier fish in person than a flagfin.

 

[ThRoewer]

At Baja Reef I convinced the staff to put two juvenile A. trimaculatus together and their social behavior is quite interesting: The larger one (~4") had the smaller one (~3") clean him (more likely her as both should be still females at that size). It looked like the little one picked of a bunch of flukes or other parasites while the larger one stood still slightly tilted to its side
I've never seen this same species cleaner interaction - alone for this reason I would strongly advise to make a pair of two juveniles rather than keeping them single.

Unfortunately the larger one died about a week later, likely from internal injuries when the collectors punctured its swimbladder - it had the telltale red puncture mark.
Steve Robinson, the owner of Baja Reef, explained to me that some collection sites don't do a proper decompression and bring the fish up too fast. Then, to let the excess air out of the swimbladder, they puncture it with a needle. Some fish are lucky, heal and survive it but quite a few die of internal injuries or infections of the wound. The guys who do this are hardly surgeons and may puncture other organs. They also don't use sterile needles out on the boats.

As for which to take - I like both but only have first hand experience with A. trimaculatus. I like the yellow and black coloring of this species. Unfortunately they are not reef safe

 

[joesfiddy]

I've had a flag fin for 6 months now eats everything

 

[trueperc]

I have had three flag fins, not one of them has every touched a coral. Great personality and always out and swimming around. Never had a problem getting them to eat.

 

[Genera]

That's what I've been hearing about both of them eating whatever. I would prefer a Goldflake if I ever can pull off $450 from somewhere. My tank (90 gal) isn't big enough for either but I just love the look of the two. With the Flagfin not being reef safe, would they be safe in a marine planted tank (there's some awesome macroalgae out there by the way)

 

[ThRoewer]

Well, it's LA saying that they are not reef safe - I take their evaluations always with a pond of salt.
When I had mine I didn't have any corals, so I can't comment on that.
If others had them in a reef tank and report no coral nipping problems I would belief it.

As for the feeding - mine ate without any problems. If they don't eat it may have other causes than them being picky. It may rather be that those that don't eat are the ones that were decompressed by needle rather than bringing them up slowly.
Internal/intestinal damage will for sure affect the desire to eat.