Multibarred Angelfish
Paracentropyge multifasciata
Also known as Multibar Angelfish, Many-banded Angelfish, Barred Angelfish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–79°F (22–26°C)
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 4.7 in (12 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 59 gal (225 L)
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Rare
- Reef safe
- Reef safe with caution
- Origin
- Indo-Pacific, from the Cocos-Keeling Islands to the Society Islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands and south to the Great Barrier Reef
- Family
- Pomacanthidae
Overview
Newly imported fish are often shy, reclusive, and slow to accept anything but live rock grazing at first, so patient feeding with a wide variety of foods matters early on; captive-bred individuals settle in and eat far more readily than wild-caught ones. Once established it grazes steadily and holds a territory around its favorite cave, tolerating most tankmates but not other angelfish. Reef keepers rate it caution: it is better behaved around coral than many dwarf angels, but it can still nip soft corals or clam mantles.
In the wild
A deepwater specialist found on steep outer reef slopes from roughly 20 to 70 meters down, well past where most reef fish in the trade are collected. It lives in caves and crevices and is rarely seen far from shelter, often resting with its body angled against a cave wall or ceiling. A tank needs a maze of mature live rock caves and dim, sheltered spots for it to feel secure in.
Good to know
Paracentropyge multifasciata tops out around 12 cm and is a protogynous hermaphrodite like its Centropyge relatives, living in harems with one dominant male. It was long grouped in the genus Centropyge, and some authorities still treat Paracentropyge as a subgenus, but molecular studies support keeping it as its own genus of three closely related deepwater angelfish. Juveniles carry a blue eyespot near the back of the dorsal fin that fades with age.
Did you know
It spends so much time wedged into caves with its body pressed against the rock that divers and aquarists often find it resting upside down against a ceiling, using the cave surface the way other fish use the open water.
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
- LiveAquaria Freshwater and saltwater fish, inverts and corals
- Saltwaterfish.com Marine fish, corals and inverts shipped overnight
- Biota Captive-bred marine fish, corals and clams shipped direct
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
Keeping Multibarred Angelfish?
Track water tests, reminders and stocking fit.
Related species
Potter's Angelfish
Centropyge potteri5.1 in (13 cm)65 gal (245 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Lemonpeel Angelfish
Centropyge flavissima5.5 in (14 cm)55 gal (210 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Coral Beauty Angelfish
Centropyge bispinosa3.9 in (10 cm)50 gal (190 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Flame Angelfish
Centropyge loriculus3.9 in (10 cm)50 gal (190 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Half-Black Angelfish
Centropyge vroliki3.9 in (10 cm)55 gal (210 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Herald's Angelfish
Centropyge heraldi3.9 in (10 cm)55 gal (210 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)