Scribbled angelfish vs goldflake angelfish

[chema]

I´m trying to decide between these two angelfish as a new addition to my 125 g tank, currently populated by some medium and dwarf angelfishes, mandarins, a Z. xanthurum and a C. striatum. I have only SPS corals (mostly acropora) and some clams. I like both of them and I would like to know about other experiences with regard to acclimation, easiness to get them to feed and general compatibility with SPS corals. Would it be feasible to add a couple of any of them?

 

[Squidward]

I prefer the Scribbled but i don't think your clams will be safe from them.

 

[Zionas]

Goldflakes might remain a bit smaller IIRC. But IMO you’ll change your mind if you see a full sized Scribbled even in a 6ft tank. Goldflake may be doable though IMO in the long term the extra width and volume of a 6 x 2 x 2 (180) would be more well-suited. I’m a bit on the conservative side though, at least to some others.

TBH I’d have a pair of a smaller Genicanthus species, maybe C. Mesoleuceus from Poma Labs, or a pair of C. Caeruleopunctatus + a pair of dwarfs for a 125.

 

[chema]

I prefer the Scribbled but i don't think your clams will be safe from them.

Thank you for the advice. I have three maximas, so I beter think it twice

 

[chema]

Goldflakes might remain a bit smaller IIRC. But IMO you’ll change your mind if you see a full sized Scribbled even in a 6ft tank. Goldflake may be doable though IMO in the long term the extra width and volume of a 6 x 2 x 2 (180) would be more well-suited. I’m a bit on the conservative side though, at least to some others.

TBH I’d have a pair of a smaller Genicanthus species, maybe C. Mesoleuceus from Poma Labs, or a pair of C. Caeruleopunctatus + a pair of dwarfs for a 125.

Thank you for the advice.

The behaviour of the fish is as important as the size when thinking about the tank size. I have had A. trimaculatus and P. xanthometapon, and I currently have a septentrionalis with no problem, because all of them are "quiet" fishes. I wouldn't have most of the tangs (A. leucosthernon, for example) as they are much more nervous and need long runs in the tank.

 

[Zionas]

I completely agree with you. What’s your opinion of the smaller Zebrasomas though? Do they present the same problems? Cthenochaetus remain smaller for the most part but I really want captive bred so the fish in question for me is a Yellow from Biota.

I like the Flagfin and I love C. Septentrionalis. So you think their swimming style and pattern isn’t nervous at all? Not the pacing often seen in Tangs?

 

[chema]

I completely agree with you. What’s your opinion of the smaller Zebrasomas though? Do they present the same problems? Cthenochaetus remain smaller for the most part but I really want captive bred so the fish in question for me is a Yellow from Biota.

I like the Flagfin and I love C. Septentrionalis. So you think their swimming style and pattern isn’t nervous at all? Not the pacing often seen in Tangs?

Z. xanthurum and C. strigosus are the two I know well and, although they are relentless swimmers, they do not do the long and nervous runs typical of the leucosternon and other tangs. My xanthurum and strigosus have been in the 125 g for around 9 years now.

C. septentrionalis is no nervous at all and keep along well with all the other fishes (including another angel, G. bellus, and several dwarf angels). I bought it as small juvenile (2 inches), and has developed to the adul stage (now around 5 inches).

I have had a A. trimaculatus for 9 years, but recently died. He has been a model citizen too. Active but not nervous. I miss it and I would like to replace it, either with the xanthopunctatus or the scribbled, although I'm more prone to the xanthopunctatus. DeJongMarinelife here in Europe carries both of them, tank bred, occasionally.

 

[Zionas]

How big are these two Tangs of yours? And what about your angels? Sorry about the loss of the Trimaculatus did he die from old age and how big was he when he died?

It would be awesome to have a captive bred Xanthopunctata. Let me know what you end up with. I want either a pair of tank bred Regals (Yellow Belly), Blue Line (Septentrionalis) or Melanosoma. And a trio of Centropyge / Paracentropyge.

 

[chema]

How big are these two Tangs of yours? And what about your angels? Sorry about the loss of the Trimaculatus did he die from old age and how big was he when he died?

It would be awesome to have a captive bred Xanthopunctata. Let me know what you end up with. I want either a pair of tank bred Regals (Yellow Belly), Blue Line (Septentrionalis) or Melanosoma. And a trio of Centropyge / Paracentropyge.

The tangs are around 13-14 cm. The trimaculatus was about the same size.

Right now I'm checking prizes and trying to make a decision. I'll let you know.

My tank is not big enough to keep medium-large angels in pairs, but I have managed to keep a pair of C. loriculus and now I have a pair of C. bispinossus. I started with three in the QT tank but one of them didn't make it. The current pair behave pretty well and shows no aggresion towards the other member of the pair or other fishes. Just some ocasional run with the C. loriculus remaining in the tank.

 

[Zionas]

Sounds good! Do you think it is better to keep dwarf angels in trios or pairs? I think 3 would be more interesting than two as we can see the male spawn with not one but two females.

 

[MONTANTK]

I had a Goldflake about the size of a quarter and raised it to the size of a half dollar before it started nipping at my SPS. It was one of my favorite fish I have ever kept. I definitely wouldn’t hesitate to get another but they can certainly nip. Probably less likely than a scribbled Angel though.

 

[LaloJ]

Chaetodontoplus is probably the most elegant genus of angelfishes, so C.septentrionalis would be more charming in swimming than a PBT, at least in my opinion. I think if I were in your place, I would choose the Goldflake, I love that fish, I also understand that they perform better in reef tanks.

 

[chema]

Chaetodontoplus is probably the most elegant genus of angelfishes, so C.septentrionalis would be more charming in swimming than a PBT, at least in my opinion. I think if I were in your place, I would choose the Goldflake, I love that fish, I also understand that they perform better in reef tanks.

Thank you. I agree with you. I have located a goldflake. It is an expensive fish, but TB, which a great plus. Hope there are still some remaining by the time I'm ready to order them

 

[chema]

Sounds good! Do you think it is better to keep dwarf angels in trios or pairs? I think 3 would be more interesting than two as we can see the male spawn with not one but two females.

I think trios are better than couples regarding the centropyges, but it is not easy to form them. First if they are expensive fishes, multiply by three, second, they must keep along well in the QT or observation tank; third, all of them must be trained to eat.

I have tried it two times, with loriculus and bispinnosa, and both times I ended up with a couple.

 

[Zionas]

Thanks for sharing your experiences. I will be trying with all tank bred fish. Is your problem with trios because they killed the third or because one always ended up dying?

 

[LaloJ]

I have never seen a coral beauty angelfish trio, but if I have seen them with flame angelfish, I think that presenting them separately during quarantine can help you understand the individual behaviors of each one, and then try to match them within the same tank, if something comes out badly can split the tank right away.