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Lemonpeel Angelfish
Centropyge flavissima
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Perciformes›Pomacanthidae
📍 Indo-Pacific, Cocos-Keeling to Tuamotu
Brilliant lemon-yellow dwarf angelfish with blue eye-ring and fin edging. One of the most popular dwarf angels. Prone to nipping coral polyps — reef compatibility is hit or miss; tank-raised specimens tend to be better.
Care Guide
Diet
Lemonpeel Angelfish are omnivores that require a varied diet of high-quality marine flakes, small pellets, and frequent offerings of frozen foods like mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and copepods. They will graze on algae and should be offered algae-based foods or nori sheets 2-3 times weekly. Feed small portions once daily, only what they can consume in 2-3 minutes.
Behavior
These dwarf angels are semi-aggressive and territorial, especially toward conspecifics and similar-sized fish. They are active mid-water swimmers that spend considerable time foraging along rockwork and coral. Males are particularly aggressive during breeding season and will defend territory vigorously.
Breeding
Breeding in captivity is difficult and rarely achieved in home aquariums. Pairs require large, well-established tanks with plenty of hiding spaces and stable conditions. Fry are extremely small and require specialized foods like rotifers and copepod nauplii, making successful rearing challenging for most hobbyists.
Tank Mates
Similar size and reef-safe temperament; may occasionally spar but generally coexist peacefully
Fast-moving bottom dweller that avoids direct competition; occupies different tank zones
Beneficial symbiotic relationship; angelfish tolerate shrimp and benefit from cleaning services
Small, peaceful goby that stays near substrate; minimal territorial conflict
Algae-eating snail that poses no threat; helps maintain tank cleanliness
Common Diseases
Ich (Marine Ich)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, flashing against rocks, lethargy
Raise temperature gradually to 28-29°C, maintain excellent water quality, use copper-based treatments or hyposalinity therapy; quarantine infected fish if possible
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fin edges, discoloration at fin margins, progressive fin loss
Improve water quality and increase water changes; use antibiotic treatments or medicated foods; ensure adequate nutrition and reduce stress
Velvet Disease
Fine golden or rust-colored dust on body, rapid breathing, scratching behavior, lethargy
Quarantine immediately; raise temperature to 28-29°C; use copper treatments or formalin-based medications; maintain pristine water conditions
Nutritional Deficiency
Faded coloration, lethargy, poor growth, loss of appetite, weakened immune response
Provide varied, high-quality diet with vitamin-enriched foods; supplement with quality flakes and frozen foods; ensure regular feeding schedule
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Quick Facts
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- diet
- omnivore/algae
- maxSize
- 5.5 inches
- salinity
- SG 1.020–1.025
- minTankSize
- 55 gallons
- temperature
- 75–82°F (24–28°C)
Temperature
75–82°F
24–28°C