| Lemonpeel angelfish or Centropyge flavissima belong | | | | large-polyped stony corals and trinanid clam mantles. |
| to the family Pomacanthidae. This fish is indigenous to | | | | Despite its rowdy demeanor, lemonpeels are one of |
| the Indo-Pacific with populations existing all the way | | | | the least hardy of dwarf angel species. They are |
| to Easter Island. Their presence has recently been | | | | rated at a moderate care level. A large assortment |
| reported around the reef system near He'eia Pier in | | | | of live rock profuse with micro-algae growth will help |
| Kaneohe Bay in Oahu, Hawaii although they are not | | | | to insure their chances of long-term survival. Under |
| endemic to those waters. Their presence is thought | | | | premium conditions this fish may reach up to 12 |
| to be from an aquarium trade related release into | | | | years of age in captivity. |
| virgin territory. This species most frequently inhabits | | | | If you intend to keep a group of lemonpeels in an |
| shallow lagoons and exposed seaward reefs in lower | | | | aquarium together, you will want to purchase them |
| surge zones at depths of up to 180 feet. | | | | as young juveniles. Like most angels, these are |
| These dwarf angels are real eye catchers in a home | | | | protogynous synchronous hermaphrodites. They are |
| aquarium. Their bodies are solid chrome yellow as | | | | born genderless. In the primary stages of their life |
| opposed to the intricate patterning found on many | | | | cycles every fish will develop into a female. The male |
| angel species. This vibrant coloring is accented by a | | | | gene is present in each female. Every female has the |
| circle of neon blue around their eyes, and along the | | | | ability to transform into a male. This morphological |
| outer edge of their gill covers and fins. Juvenile | | | | transition is determined by the lack of a male of the |
| lemonpeels have a large black ocellus (false eyes) | | | | species in a given population. Hormonal changes will |
| rimmed in blue on the sides of their body. These | | | | be triggered in the largest, most dominant member |
| eyespots will fade into oblivion as the fish matures. | | | | of the female populace. The end result is a single |
| This is one of the larger dwarf angels. It will grow to | | | | male whose charge it is to prorogate the species. In |
| an adult length of almost 6 inches. Don't let their size | | | | the event of this seed carrier's demise, the second |
| fool you. These are tenacious little rascals and among | | | | most dominant female becomes its successor. This |
| the most aggressive of all the dwarf angel varieties. | | | | change in gender is permanent. Males do not have |
| Do not attempt keep this angle with other angel | | | | the ability to morph back into females. |
| species. A prolonged territorial dispute is almost | | | | Dwarf angels are omnivorous. A juvenile's diet |
| inevitable. This turf war will generally continue until | | | | consists primarily of plankton. Adults derive their |
| only the victory remains alive to claim dominion over | | | | sustenance from a combination of small crustaceans, |
| its territory. Same species feuds are a different story | | | | mollusks and worms interfused with copious amounts |
| all together. These are harem fish. A single male can | | | | of algae. A high quality food product formulated for |
| be kept with a single or even a small group of | | | | marine angelfish should be further supplemented with |
| females without anything more exciting than an | | | | fresh chopped seafood and dried or frozen algae |
| occasional domestic quarrel. Do not attempt to house | | | | products. |
| two males together. These will make fine additions to | | | | This species rarely breeds in captivity. In their natural |
| a FOWLR (Fish Only With Live Rock) aquarium as | | | | environment they have the ability to cross over |
| long as they are surrounded by semi-aggressive | | | | inter-species boundaries and mate with other dwarf |
| species of similar size. The introduction of a dwarf | | | | angelfish including; half-black angels (Centropyge |
| angel to a marine reef tank always comes with a | | | | vroliki) and Eibli Angelfish (Centropyge eibli). The |
| note of caution. In this case it is not worth the | | | | resulting hybrids are exceedingly rare and considered |
| gamble. This species has a renowned propensity for | | | | a prized trophy among serious saltwater aficionados. |