All fish / Pomacanthidae

Multibarred Angelfish

Paracentropyge multifasciata

Also known as multibar angelfish, multi-barred angelfish, barred angelfish, many-banded angelfish, multibar pygmy angelfish, centropyge multifasciata, multifasciatus angel, シマヤッコ, 多带刺尻鱼, 多横带刺尻鱼, 斑马神仙

A small, shy angelfish with a white body crossed by bold black vertical bars, yellow fins and a dark eyespot near the tail. Aquarists value it as an unusual, striking dwarf angel that stays relatively small and spends its time weaving through rockwork.

Care at a glance

Care level

Hard

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

11 cm

Temperature

24 to 27 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

250 litres

Keep as

Single specimen

Diet

Omnivore: sponge-based frozen foods, mysis, chopped seafood, quality marine flakes and pellets, plus live rock grazing

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 10 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Indo-West Pacific: Indonesia, Philippines, Great Barrier Reef, Micronesia to Fiji and Samoa

Breeding

It is a protogynous hermaphrodite that spawns in pairs or harems, scattering pelagic eggs at dusk. Captive breeding is very rare and the tiny larvae are extremely difficult to rear.

Good to know

Many imports struggle to feed and are prone to stress, so choose a feeding specimen and a mature tank with plenty of caves and calm tankmates. It may nip at sessile invertebrates such as clams and some corals.