All fish / Pomacanthidae

Multicolor Angelfish

Centropyge multicolor

Also known as multicolor pygmy angelfish, multicolour angelfish, many-coloured angelfish, multi-color angelfish, multicolored angelfish, multicolor dwarf angel, マルチカラーエンゼル, 多彩刺尻鱼

A small dwarf angelfish with a pale yellow to cream body, a blue-black patch on the forehead and blue edging on the fins. It comes from fairly deep outer reef slopes, so it is less common in the trade and valued by reef keepers for its subtle colours.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

8 cm

Temperature

24 to 27 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

Single specimen or a mated pair; one dwarf angel per tank

Diet

Omnivore: algae, spirulina-based foods, mysis, brine shrimp, quality marine flakes and pellets

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 10 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Central and western Pacific: Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Fiji, Cook Islands, Society Islands

Breeding

Like other Centropyge it is a protogynous hermaphrodite that spawns pelagic eggs at dusk in pairs or harems. Captive breeding is rare and rearing the tiny larvae is very difficult.

Good to know

May nip at soft corals and clam mantles, so it is only cautiously reef safe. Wild-caught fish from deeper water can be shy at first and need plenty of rockwork and established live rock to graze.