Lemonpeel angelfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lemonpeel angelfish |
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Holacanthus flavissimus Cuvier, 1831 |
The lemonpeel angelfish (Centropyge flavissima) is a beautiful ocean fish. It is also called the yellow angelfish. This fish is part of the angelfish family, called Pomacanthidae. You can find it living in the warm waters of the Indo-Pacific region.
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What Does It Look Like?
The lemonpeel angelfish is super bright yellow. It has a blue or white ring around its eye, like a tiny mask! There's also a small black spot near its gills. The edges of its top fin (dorsal fin), bottom fin (anal fin), and tail fin (caudal fin) are blue.
Young Lemonpeel Angelfish
When they are young, these fish look a bit different. Young lemonpeel angelfish have a special black spot with blue edges on their side. This spot is called an ocellus. It looks a bit like an eye.
Size and Fins
This angelfish can grow up to about 14 centimetres (5.5 in) long. Its top fin has 14 stiff spines and 15 to 16 soft rays. The bottom fin has 3 spines and 16 soft rays.
Where Do They Live?
Lemonpeel angelfish live in the Indo-Pacific Ocean. Their main home is in the Central Pacific. This area stretches from the Ryukyu Islands in Japan all the way east to the Tuamotu Islands. They also live south near Australia.
Australian Homes
In Australia, you can find them along the northern Great Barrier Reef. They live south to Moreton Bay and the Solitary Islands in New South Wales. They are also found near Lord Howe Island and the Australian islands of Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Sometimes, they might swim to other parts of the western Pacific Ocean. However, you won't find them near Hawaii or Johnston Atoll.
Their Ocean Home and Life
Lemonpeel angelfish love shallow waters. They usually live less than 20 metres (66 ft) deep. They prefer areas with lots of coral growth. You can find them in calm lagoons and on reefs facing the open ocean.
Social Life and Family
Young angelfish like to hide more than the adults. These fish usually live in small groups. A group often has one male and several females. This is called a harem.
Changing Roles
Lemonpeel angelfish are special because they can change their sex! They are born as females. If there is no male in a group, the strongest female can change into a male. This change can even be reversed if needed.
What Do They Eat?
These angelfish mostly eat thin, stringy algae. Algae are like tiny plants that grow in the ocean.
How They Got Their Name
The lemonpeel angelfish was first officially described in 1831. A French scientist named Georges Cuvier gave it the scientific name Holocanthus flavissimus. The name flavissima means "very yellow" in Latin. This perfectly describes their bright color!
Popular Pets
These beautiful fish are very popular. Many people like to keep them in home aquariums.
