Lemonpeel in a reef tank?

[fittiger]

I know many would never put a lemonpeel in a reef tank but I am considering it. Has ANYONE actually had luck doing so?

I have always love this fish and would really like to include him in my reef; mostly sps, with few lps and ricordea. Is there a specific type of coral they are more likely to go after? I have already purchased a nice healthy specimen and have had it in quarantine for 2 weeks. I was thinking of placing one of my least favorite Euphyllia specimens in quarantine tank (never had copper) to see how the Lemonpeel reacted to it.

Anyone have any suggestions or comments?

 

[flasher1]

If I were you I would frag a piece of SPS, LPS, and a ric in there to see if it will go after any of them.

I had a potters angel that never went after any of my SPS or the sponge I specifically bought for it to pick on.

 

[xenon]

I bought a lemonpeel today and I have him in QT with a few other corals and so far he has not bothered it one bit.

Fingers crossed!

 

[Nanook]

[moved]

 

[TereKers]

I've had one for almost a year, I remember seeing it nip at my frogspawn but has stopped and seems fairly reef safe. But that's just my experience.

 

[OranguTang]

I have one in my tank, stunning fish IMO. I have the same experience as TereKers, it nipped once or twice at one of my SPS and never again.

Even if it did nip, it wont damage an SPS, you will just have no PE. I would not get rid of this fish if it did anyways, it looks tooooooo good.

 

[sean48183]

I have a yellow which is essentially the same fish as a lemonpeel minus the blue eye rings and he has never touched any corals. I don't have sps but zoo's, shrooms, xenia and other softies like that. However fan worms are definately on the menu. Here's mine just cruising. I suck at pics but he is as bright a yellow as a yellow tang.

 

[cbui2]

in the first month was nipping on few LPS but they all recovered and haven't see him nip on anything else after that. been in main display now for about 5 months. also have potters and imperator

 

[walt13]

I have a lemon peel in a FOWLR and a few xenia, starburst, zoos and shrooms and he has never touched anything. He definitely is the meanest fish I have ever owned. He runs the tank and is absolutely stunning. He has been in the tank for 1 year and the blue is getting more vibrant as he ages.
Good luck,
Walt

 

[fittiger]

Thanks guys, that at least gives me hope.

 

[BangkokMatt]

This thread makes it sound a very promising addition. I am surprised as they are supposedly one of the worst munchers. Due to their rep I would never add one to my reef.

 

[Aadler]

I had one that nipped at my Monti's as soon as I added them, took me a day and a half to get out. I was not willing to risk the coral to find out if he would leave them alone. Also nipped at acros. Im sure some would work out, but they have a badrep as my experience confirmed for me. He is now in a tank with shrooms, gsp, and frogspawn with no problems.

 

[OranguTang]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11950676#post11950676 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by walt13
I have a lemon peel in a FOWLR and a few xenia, starburst, zoos and shrooms and he has never touched anything. He definitely is the meanest fish I have ever owned. He runs the tank and is absolutely stunning. He has been in the tank for 1 year and the blue is getting more vibrant as he ages.
Good luck,
Walt

Yep the blue on mine is rediculous as well the gills have turned blue from white.

 

[cbui2]

sweet pic, size and age?

 

[OranguTang]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11957897#post11957897 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cbui2
sweet pic, size and age?

I would say 4" including the caudal fin, maybe more. Here are some recent pics.

(Actually this post inspired me to try and get a good recent pic haha)

Eats like a pig. My PERSONAL experiance with the centropyge is that if you keep them healthy, on a GOOD diet, and KEEP them fed...they tend to not nip as much.

 

[tymux]

Maybe the question should be asked..........who has put one in and had problems? You asked if anyone had luck not bad luck......

Just a thought.

 

[fittiger]

If he does end up nipping? Would it kill the corals? I'm not too much worried about the LPS I have, going more towards SPS now anyway.

But if he nips at the SPS, will they just not open up as much or will it kill them? And if it won't kill them, will that affect color, growth, etc...?

I also wouldn't mind hearing about any problem stories. I just figured I'd get a lot of "I'd never put one in my reef tank" without the reason being "They said you can't." I'm sick of they anyway.

 

[JamesJR]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11946580#post11946580 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sean48183
I have a yellow which is essentially the same fish as a lemonpeel minus the blue eye rings and he has never touched any corals.

I would really advise against such blanket statements.

 

[BangkokMatt]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11991196#post11991196 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fittiger
If he does end up nipping? Would it kill the corals? I'm not too much worried about the LPS I have, going more towards SPS now anyway.

But if he nips at the SPS, will they just not open up as much or will it kill them? And if it won't kill them, will that affect color, growth, etc...?

I also wouldn't mind hearing about any problem stories. I just figured I'd get a lot of "I'd never put one in my reef tank" without the reason being "They said you can't." I'm sick of they anyway.

If it nips it will cause stress to he coral. They won't open up much. Growth and color will be inhibited. This can potentially lead to death.
If 'they' are saying 'don't do it' then 'they' should be considered as they are often right.
IMO if you are going down the road of setting up an sps tank then you will be crazy to have one of these fish in there. The chances of success are very limited. I really don't see the point as there are many beautiful fish with a much better track record regarding nipping.

 

[OranguTang]

I havent had any problems montipora, polyps, lps, no problems.

IME keeping the fish well fed keeps it away from any prospective food.

But, you will always find people with experiences on the other side of the fish.

I will always have angels...I have had one in every one of my tanks.