LemonPeel in a Reef Tank

[ca1ore]

I know that the dwarf LemonPeel is a potential problem, and I myself have written that it is a poor choice for a reef tank ....

But I have a dilemma. Bought a stunning one from a local reefer for a planned FOWLR that appears now to be delayed (since the intended tank has a leak). I'm trying to resist the urge to put it into my 265 reef, because my own experiences with this fish are that it really is a risk. Has anyone been able to keep one in a reef tank? I know individual fish can differ, but are there circumstances where one might be successful?

For example, I have a pretty active tank, so nipping tends to be suppressed. I don't keep many fleshy LPS, mainly zoos, SPS and a few euphyllia. I do have a large Squamosa clam though.

Thoughts appreciated.

 

[ca1ore]

Hmmm, views but no posts. Looks like I'm not going to get the answer I was looking for :lmao:

 

[Marshall O]

Lemonpeels are supposed to be one of the worst when it comes to nipping. A quick search on here shows a few threads asking the same question and the consensus is the same; hit or miss, but more hits then misses...

That being said, if you have enough corals, the nipping may be spread out enough where it does not cause damage. I guess it comes down to if you like to gamble or not. If you find it does cause damage, you will have quite the time trying to catch it in that large of a tank.

 

[jaa1456]

I tried one and would never do it again. It went after all of my LPS, you name it and it was eating it. Not picking, but eating. It lasted a week and then I removed it and gave it to a buddy with a fowlr.

 

[SecretiveFish]

I wouldn't. The one I had killed his only tankmate, a goby, and as such I am not interested in keeping one again even with how gorgeous they are. If you really want to give it a go though, maybe put a variety of coral in wherever you are keeping him and see if he goes after them? I would be really worried about your clam though....

 

[Bernie21]

Ive never had one, but all angels are a hit or miss. Ive tried a Coral Beauty, a Flame, a potters, 2 bicolors at different times, a pygmy whitetail, 2 rock beautys at different times and a pair of Japanese swallowtails over the years. Most were in a 92g that crashed years ago. The bicolor and the rockbeauty are the only ones that nipped. The 2nd bicolor nipped at everything and harassed everything, the 1st one was a model citizen for many years. The 1st Rockbeauty was also an Angel (lol) citizen, but the one I have now loves fleshy lps, picks on favias, brains non stop. so I had to remove those corals (i love that fish, so the tank is built around it). from my experience, kiss your the zoas, clam & fleshy LPS good bye. But you might have the exception, who knows. I had a friend who had one in a softie tank and it never bothered anything. My concern would be catching it in a 265 if it doesnt go well. You can try putting a plastic mesh or egg crate barrier around those corals it nips at, until it gets used to not being able to get to them, ignoring those corals and see if after it just stays away, but I would suggest doing that before he gets the taste for them.

 

[ca1ore]

I wouldn't. The one I had killed his only tankmate, a goby, and as such I am not interested in keeping one again even with how gorgeous they are. If you really want to give it a go though, maybe put a variety of coral in wherever you are keeping him and see if he goes after them? I would be really worried about your clam though....

Fully agree! Most of my tank is zoos and SPS which I think would be 'safe', but the clam ......

 

[ca1ore]

My concern would be catching it in a 265 if it doesnt go well.

THAT is what is primarily giving me pause. I don't think I would be able to catch it if I needed to.

 

[Jasanden]

Zoos are big on the menu 2

 

[fishfreak2009]

Both my lemonpeel and my bicolor leave Duncans and pulsing xenia alone fwiw.

 

[SDguy]

THAT is what is primarily giving me pause. I don't think I would be able to catch it if I needed to.

If you plan on pushing the envelope with fish in a reef, just invest in a proper fish trap. I never hesitated to add a fish to my reef, since I knew I could always get it out with the trap. I'm like 15 and 0 with that thing

 

[ca1ore]

If you plan on pushing the envelope with fish in a reef, just invest in a proper fish trap. I never hesitated to add a fish to my reef, since I knew I could always get it out with the trap. I'm like 15 and 0 with that thing

Its funny, I'm doing the same thing I've chuckled about other doing in the past - posting a thread and waiting for somebody to give me the answer I'm looking for

I really would like to put this fish into my reef, so will indeed invest in a trap. Is there a particular model that you would recommend?