Goldflake Angelfish

The Goldflake Angelfish is one of the most prized and expensive angelfish in the marine aquarium hobby, renowned for its breathtaking appearance and extreme rarity. Its body is a deep black base color generously peppered with brilliant gold to orange spots or flakes across the flanks, creating a glittering appearance that is truly unique among angelfish. The face and lips are often bright blue, and the caudal fin displays a striking yellow to orange hue, completing a color combination that makes this species instantly recognizable and highly desirable.

This species has an extremely limited natural range, found almost exclusively around the remote atolls of the central Pacific, including parts of Kiribati, the Line Islands, and the Gilbert Islands. It inhabits coral-rich reef slopes at moderate depths, typically between 10 and 50 meters. The combination of its restricted distribution, remote collection locations, and high demand from collectors has historically made wild-caught specimens extraordinarily expensive, with prices often reaching several thousand dollars.

The breakthrough captive breeding of the Goldflake Angelfish by Bali Aquarich and other specialty facilities has improved availability, though the species remains a premium fish. Expert-level care is required, as this species can be sensitive during acclimation and may initially refuse prepared foods. A spacious aquarium of at least 180 gallons with mature live rock, pristine water quality, and a carefully selected community of non-aggressive tankmates provides the best chance of long-term success with this magnificent fish.