Fun Lemonpeel Angelfish Facts Facts For Kids

The lemonpeel angelfish (Centropyge flavissima), is a marine ray-finned fish that belongs to the phylum Chordata. It is one of the alluring dwarf angelfish of a saltwater aquarium. The diet of this creature mainly includes algae, seaweed, and shrimps. Both male and female lemon peel angels look the same in size and color. The body is yellow with a blue ring around the eyes and on the borders of fins. It prefers to live in reefs and lagoons in various parts of the world. It is good for single tanks or for tank mates. In addition to that, it can also keep in a reef tank.

The lemonpeel angelfish is often confused with C. heraldi, a freshwater fish commonly known as false lemon angelfish. It lacks blue coloration on the edges, lips, eyes, and fins. Acanthurus pyroferus, also known as Mimic surgeon, the mimic lemon peel tang or chocolate surgeonfish is a fish that has a yellow body with blue highlights near eyes and gills which is known for mimicking the Centropyge flavissimus. The yellow color remains only in the juvenile stage. In the later stage, the body color turns tan with red highlights. This aquatic species have been raised as pets by many people, and this has caused a threat to their population.

If you like this fish, you may also want to check out monkfish and rainbow trout.
 

What type of animal is a lemonpeel angelfish?

The lemonpeel angelfish is a type of angelfish species, which is mainly found in the Indopacific region

What class of animal does a lemonpeel angelfish belong to?

The lemonpeel angelfish is one of the dwarf angelfish species that belongs to the Actinopterygii class of animal.

How many lemonpeel angelfishes are there in the world?

The population size of lemonpeel angelfishes or yellow colored dwarf angels is unknown.

Where does a lemonpeel angelfish live?

The range of lemonpeel angelfish habitat includes Indopacific, New Guinea, Japan's Ryukyu Islands, and Ogasawara Islands, Tuamotu Islands, and Australia. It also appears in some Islands of the Indian ocean. In Australia, it is found in the Great Barrier Reef, Moreton Bay of Queensland, (Cocos Keeling) Islands, Lord Howe Island, Christmas Island, and the Solitary Islands of New South Wales. Many lemonpeel fishes also inhabit Kaneohe Bay on Oahu reef, Hawaii. Some people believe that the occurrence of this seawater fish is due to the illegitimate discharge of unwanted aquarium pets into the near seashore waters.

What is a lemonpeel angelfish's habitat?

The Centropyge flavissima usually live in the shallow seawater, particularly shallower than 66 ft (20 m). It prefers regions that are rich in rock, corals, such as organ pipe coral and large polyped stony corals in lagoons and seaward reefs, since they live and nest in corals. These corals are both the food and hiding place or shelters of lemonpeel angelfish. Lemonpeel angelfish in reef tend to stay safe.

Who do lemonpeel angelfish live with?

Like other dwarf angels, the lemonpeel angelfish live in a diminutive group consisting of a single male and numerous females.

How long does a lemonpeel angelfish live?

The lifespan of Centropyge flavissima is usually between 5-10 years. Those raised in tanks and aquariums have a longer lifespan if proper care is given.

How do they reproduce?

In the ocean, like the dwarf angels, the lemonpeel angelfish reproduce through external fertilization. They are egg scatterers and usually live in a harem of one male and several females. Juveniles are more reserved than adults. Both genders release their gametes (eggs and sperm) in water. They dance, move to the top into the water column, and discharge eggs and sperm, simultaneously. However, these angelfish are arduous to breed in captivity. They require special care to survive, particularly in aquariums. For instance, they need temperate water, particularly when spawning, good water quality, and excellent larva food. The tank size must be large and deep with a steady lighting schedule. The tank's water temperature needs to be between 79-83 F (26.1-28.3 C) at least for 14-16 hours per day. The height of the tank should be enough for the rising and spawning behavior. Interestingly after the fertilization, the eggs will hatch within 24 hours. After hatching, the larvae need specific foods such as microscopic algae and copepods. These larvae do not eat rotifers or baby brine shrimp as they are enormous for them.

What is their conservation status?

The conservation status of the lemonpeel angelfish (Centropyge flavissima) is Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, as their population is stable.

What do lemonpeel angelfish look like?

Both genders of this saltwater fish are almost similar size, color, shape, and texture. It is difficult to distinguish between them. One of the unique things about the lemonpeel is the fact that they have brilliant yellow scales with a sky blue ring surrounding the eyes. There is a black patch on the front margin of the gill cover, on their back. The spine of this fish as well as the anal, dorsal, and caudal fins have blue borders just like their eyes. All juvenile lemonpeel specimens possess a black ocellus with blue edges. There are a total of 14 spines and 15-16 rays on the dorsal fin and, while the anal fin possesses only three spines and 16 rays. They can grow to a maximum length of 5.5 in (14 cm). Sometimes, people confuse them with Herald's angelfish (C. heraldi) which lacks blur margins. Therefore, it is known as false lemonpeel angelfish, whereas C. flavissima is known as true lemonpeel angelfish.

How cute are they?

They are definitely cute and loving sea creatures. They are one of the most adorable and eye catching dwarf fish in the world. People like them because of their attractive contrasting yellowish blue color and short size.

How do they communicate?

The information related to their means of communication has not been identified.

How big is a lemonpeel angelfish?

The length of this fish is nearly 5.5 in (14 cm) which is five times bigger than a clownfish.

How fast can a lemonpeel angelfish swim?

The lemonpeel dwarf angelfish is a quick swimmer, as they are small and light.

How much does a lemonpeel angelfish weigh?

They can weigh up to 2 lb (1 kg).

What are the male and female names of the species?

The male and female species of this fish do not have specific names.

What would you call a baby lemonpeel angelfish?

The baby is generally known as a juvenile or young one.

What do they eat?

The diet of Centropyge flavissima includes algae, spirulina, seaweed, shaved shrimp, mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, coral polyps, and high quality angelfish preparations.

Are they dangerous?

No, they are not dangerous.

Would they make a good pet?

The Centropyge flavissima is a famous saltwater aquarium fish species as their size fits well in aquarium or fish tanks. For sustainability, they need special aquarium supplies and water parameters. For instance, they require good water quality with an appropriate amount of minerals, a tank size of nearly 30 gal (113 l) for a single or 55 gal (208 l) tank for a pair or a trio, reef settings, and rock shelters to act as hiding places and necessary algae to feed the creatures. This species is fairly difficult to keep as a pet. The water should be warm with a pH of around 8. The water changes must not include scrubbing off algae from the rocks. These chordates like to live solitary but show aggressive behavior towards tank mates. Putting two males in a tank will be a bad idea. They will fight each other until one of them die. However, it is fine to put one male and many female angelfish in a tank, requiring a bigger size of the tank. They are prone to bite tridacnid clam mantles and large polyped stony corals. Many species of lemonpeel hybrid angelfish are also available in the market.

Did you know...

All dwarf angels are females when born. During development, the larger and most dominant one will become male, but if something happens to it, the next bigger angelfish will become the male.

Among the angelfish species, the black phantom angelfish is the rarest species.

How did lemonpeel angelfish get their name?

Its scientific name, Centropyge, is a combination of two Greek words- Kentron, meaning 'sting', and pyge, meaning 'tail'. The species name flavissima, meaning 'bright yellow'. They have been called lemonpeel angelfish as they resemble the color of bright yellow lemon peel.

What are the differences between lemonpeel angelfish and freshwater angelfish?

The fins of freshwater angelfish are circular, while lemonpeel angelfish have triangular fins. Additionally, the former has dark stripes on its body but these are absent in the latter.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other fishes from our barracuda facts and koi facts pages.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Lemonpeel angelfish coloring pages.