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
- Diet
- Omnivore
- 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
The multicolor angelfish is a small, shy dwarf angel for a mature saltwater tank with gentle lighting. It is a step up from the easiest fish.
Did you know
The multicolor angelfish's soft pastel coloring is unusual within the mostly bright Centropyge genus.
Caring for the multicolor angelfish
Keep the multicolor angelfish in a mature tank of at least 70 gal (265 L), with abundant live rock and shaded caves. It comes from deep, dim reef slopes, so a shaded tank with lower light suits it better than a bright one. Subdued lighting helps it feel secure.
Hold the water at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) and a pH of 8.1 to 8.4. It is sensitive to copper medications. Feed spirulina, mysis and frozen preparations, and let it graze microalgae.
The multicolor angelfish is shyer and less aggressive than many other dwarf angels. Keep only one dwarf angel per tank, and choose its tank mates with caution. It may nip fleshy corals and clam mantles, so it is reef safe only with caution. It is a hard fish to breed.
Good to know
Centropyge multicolor belongs to the family Pomacanthidae and also goes by pastel pygmy angelfish. It is a pale dwarf angel washed in cream, yellow and blue. Like its relatives, it can change sex from female to male.
In the wild
The multicolor angelfish comes from the central and western Pacific. It lives deeper than most pygmy angels, on outer reef slopes below 20 m. There it stays in dim light near ledges and rubble.
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.
What does a multicolor angelfish eat?
A multicolor angelfish eats spirulina, mysis and frozen preparations. It also grazes microalgae in the tank.
How big does a multicolor angelfish get?
An adult multicolor angelfish reaches about 3.5 in (9 cm).
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