Goldspotted Angelfish

About

The golden spotted angelfish (Apolemichthys xanthopunctatus) is one of those species that stops you in your tracks the first time you see it. The body is a rich golden-yellow scattered with small darker spots, giving it a texture unlike most other angelfish you'll encounter. The face tends to be darker, sometimes with bluish tones around the lips, and the overall silhouette is the classic medium-bodied Apolemichthys shape. Deep, rounded, and deliberate in its movements. In the wild, this species is closely associated with remote central Pacific atolls, particularly around the Gilbert Islands and similar isolated reef systems, which goes a long way toward explaining why it shows up so rarely in the hobby. Collection is difficult simply because of where these fish live, so when one does appear for sale, expect a serious price tag. In the aquarium, it behaves much like its relatives. Curious, not especially aggressive toward unrelated species, but liable to cause trouble with ornamental invertebrates given the chance. This is not a beginner fish. Between the cost, the adjustment period these fish often need, and their sensitivity to water quality, the golden spotted angelfish is best kept by someone who already has a few angelfishes under their belt.