Multicolor angelfish
Centropyge multicolor
Also known as Multicolor Angel, Pastel Pygmy Angelfish, Multicolour Angelfish
SaltwaterFish
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
- Own kind
- One male per tank
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Rare
- Reef safe
- Reef safe with caution
- Family
- Pomacanthidae
- Origin
- Central and western Pacific, on deeper outer reef slopes below 20 m.
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.
Common questions
What size tank does a Multicolor angelfish need?
A Multicolor angelfish needs at least 70 gal (265 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Multicolor angelfish need?
A Multicolor angelfish is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
How big does a Multicolor angelfish get?
An adult Multicolor angelfish reaches about 3.5 in (9 cm).
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