Centropyge flavissima, commonly known as the Lemonpeel angelfish or yellow angelfish, is a captivating marine species found in the Indo-Pacific region. Let me share some fascinating details about this vibrant fish:
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Appearance:
- The Lemonpeel angelfish boasts a bright yellow coloration, with a bluish or whitish ring encircling its eyes.
- A distinctive black blotch marks the rear margin of its gill cover.
- The spine on its preoperculum is blue, and its dorsal, anal, and caudal fins exhibit blue margins.
- Juveniles sport an ocellus on their flanks, which is black with blue edges1.
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Size:
- These enchanting angelfish attain a maximum total length of approximately 14 centimeters (5.5 inches).
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Distribution:
- Their core habitat spans the Central Pacific, from the Ryukyu Islands and Ogasawara Islands of Southern Japan in the north, east to the Tuamotu Islands, and south to Australia.
- Lemonpeel angelfish are also found around some Indian Ocean islands.
- In Australia, they occur from the northern Great Barrier Reef south to Moreton Bay in Queensland and the Solitary Islands in New South Wales.
- Additionally, they inhabit Lord Howe Island in the Tasman Sea and the Australian Indian Ocean territories of Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
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Habitat and Behavior:
- Lemonpeel angelfish prefer shallow waters, typically shallower than 20 meters (66 feet), in areas rich in coral growth within lagoons and seaward reefs.
- They are often encountered in small groups, consisting of a single male and several females.
- Interestingly, this species is a protogynous hermaphrodite, meaning that if there is no male in the group, the dominant female may change into a male (and vice versa).
- Their diet primarily consists of filamentous algae.
In summary, the Lemonpeel angelfish adds a splash of color and wonder to the underwater world, thriving amidst the vibrant coral reefs of its native habitat.
