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Multicolor Angelfish

Centropyge multicolor

Also known as Multicolor Angel, Pastel Pygmy Angelfish, Multicolour Angelfish

SaltwaterFish
Multicolor Angelfish (Centropyge multicolor)
Jokuyken15 · CC BY-SA 4.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–81°F (24–27°C)
pH
8.1–8.4
Adult size
3.5 in (9 cm)
Minimum tank
70 gal (265 L)
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Hard
Rarity
Rare
Reef safe
Reef safe with caution
Origin
Central and western Pacific, on deeper outer reef slopes below 20 m.
Family
Pomacanthidae

Overview

Keep this dwarf angel in a mature 265 litre or larger tank with abundant live rock, shaded caves and gentle lighting at 24 to 27 C. Feed spirulina, mysis, frozen preparations and let it graze microalgae. It is one dwarf angel per tank and is sensitive to copper medications. It may nip fleshy corals and clam mantles, so it is reef safe only with caution.

In the wild

The multicolor angelfish is a pale dwarf angel washed in cream, yellow and blue, from deeper reef slopes. In the wild it stays in dim light near ledges and rubble. It is shyer and less aggressive than many other dwarf angels. Subdued lighting helps it feel secure in a tank.

Good to know

Centropyge multicolor reaches only about 9 cm and lives deeper than most pygmy angels. Its soft pastel coloring is unusual within the mostly bright Centropyge genus. Like relatives, it can change sex from female to male.

Did you know

It comes from deep, dim reef slopes, so a shaded tank with lower light suits it better than a bright one.

Where to buy

Some links may not be the exact species or variety.

…or ask your local fish store.

Appears in

Saltwater fish · Saltwater angelfish

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