Lemonpeel angelfish (Centropyge flavissima) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Yellow angelfish
Family
Pomacanthidae (marine angelfishes)
Origin
Indo-Pacific, southern Japan to the Tuamotus and Australia, plus some Indian Ocean islands; coral-rich shallow reefs, usually above 20 m
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
14 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.023–1.026
Minimum tank
300 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
semi_aggressive
Reef safe
with_caution

Care

Provide plenty of rock with grazing surfaces and caves. The minimum tank size of about 300 litres is our own estimate from the adult size and habits, not a figure from the sources. No species-specific water figures are given in the sources, so the values here are general marine aquarium guidance rather than figures for this fish: 24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4 and a specific gravity of 1.023–1.026. Keep conditions stable, with low nitrate and good oxygenation. Usually in small groups of one male with several females. Juveniles are more secretive than adults. Bright yellow with a blue ring around the eye and blue edges to the gill cover and fins. Juveniles have a blue-ringed black spot on the side. Common in the trade. The article gives no IUCN category. Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centropygeflavissima). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Mainly grazes filamentous algae. Provide live rock to graze and offer marine algae, spirulina foods, frozen mysis and quality pellets two or three times a day.

Breeding

Marine angelfish are pelagic broadcast spawners: a pair rises into the water column, usually around dusk, and releases eggs and sperm together. Protogynous hermaphrodite; unusually, the sex change can reverse. Not routinely bred in home aquaria.

Compatibility and tank mates

Listed as reef safe with caution. Dwarf angelfish graze live rock and may nip large-polyp stony corals, zoanthids and clam mantles, especially when underfed. Keep one per tank (or one male with females in a large system) and avoid other Centropyge unless the tank is big and well furnished. Generally fine with clownfish, gobies, wrasses and tangs.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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