Lemonpeel Angelfish care guide
Lemonpeel Angelfish (Centropyge flavissima) — minimum tank 200 L, temperature 24-27 °C, pH 8.1-8.4.
Overview
The Lemonpeel Angelfish (Centropyge flavissima) is a dwarf marine angelfish reaching about 14 cm, with a uniformly bright lemon-yellow body and a contrasting electric-blue ring around the eye, blue lips and a blue trim along the gill cover and fins.
Taxonomy
- Family: Pomacanthidae
- Genus: Centropyge
- Scientific name: Centropyge flavissima
Habitat
Distributed across the tropical central and western Pacific, from the Cocos-Keeling Islands to the Marquesas and from southern Japan to the southern Great Barrier Reef. The species inhabits coral-rich shallow lagoons and reef flats from 1 to 25 m depth.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 200 L (52.8 US gal)
- Adult size: 10-14 cm
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- GH: 8-12 °dGH
- Water flow: moderate
- Lifespan: 5-10 years
- Salinity: SG 1.024-1.026
- Carbonate hardness (dKH): 8-12
Diet
An omnivore that grazes mostly on filamentous algae, detritus and small invertebrates. In aquaria a varied diet of marine pellets, mysis, enriched brine shrimp and dried algae sheets is required; vegetable content should be high.
Compatibility
Territorial towards other Centropyge; only one per tank. Compatible with peaceful reef community fish — clownfish, gobies, blennies, smaller wrasses and cardinals. Avoid other yellow dwarf angels that may trigger aggression.
Reef compatibility
Reef-safe with caution. The species is more prone than some Centropyge to nip large-polyp stony corals (LPS), tridacnid clam mantles and zoanthids. Behaviour varies between individuals.
Breeding
A pelagic broadcast spawner releasing eggs at dusk. Centropyge flavissima has been captive-bred at a few specialised aquaculture facilities; commercial supply remains predominantly wild-caught.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern. The species is widespread and the global population is not considered to be at risk.