Multicolor Angelfish (Centropyge multicolor)
The Multicolor Angelfish (Centropyge multicolor) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Multicolor Pygmy Angelfish, Pastel Pygmy Angelfish, Pearlback Angelfish, or Many Colored Angelfish is native to many of the island groups in the Western and Central Pacific Oceans.
Their range extends from Palau; the Caroline Islands in both the Federated States of Micronesia and Palau, Guam, Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Gilbert Islands in Kiribati, Fiji, Tonga, the Cook Islands, and the Society Islands in French Polynesia.
Multicolor Angelfish are a shy, benthopelagic species that are normally encountered in small groups of 3 to 7 individuals along the outer reef slopes of their range among dense coral growths and patches of rubble at depths between 60 to 300 feet where they graze on filamentous algae and small benthic animals. They favor coral rich reefs where they can shelter among the intricate coral formations.
Multicolor Angelfish are protogynous hermaphrodites that can change from a female to a male when no male is present in a small group or harem.
Multicolor Angelfish (Centropyge multicolor)
Adult Multicolor Angelfish have an orange to pale peach colored lower body with an electric blue area on top of the head behind the eyes, dotted with black spots. The dorsal and anal fins are an electric blue color, with a bright yellow caudal fin. The upper half of the body to the caudal fin is colored silvery white. There are no obvious ways to sex adults.
Juvenile Multicolor Angelfish have orange and blue stripes that span their bodies. As they mature, the stripes mutate into a beautiful tapestry of yellow, orange, and blue.
Multicolor Angelfish are best housed in a mature reef or FOWLR aquarium of at least 75 gallon capacity with a fine crushed gravel or sand substrate, plenty of live rock arranged into caves, crevices, and overhangs for them to graze on and hide among and a lot of free swimming space.
Centropyge multicolor have a preference for sheltering among coral colonies and seem to coexist with other reef dwellers however, because they occasionally nip at soft and stony polyp corals, sessile invertebrates, and clam mantles, they are considered reef safe with caution.
Like other deeper water angelfish species, they require excellent water quality with stable water conditions and a moderate amount of water movement. A quality protein skimmer and wave maker is recommended to replicate these conditions.
Multicolor Angelfish can be somewhat aggressive towards other angelfish but do well with other peaceful species like Yellow Tangs (Zebrasoma flavescens), Royal Gramma (Gramma loreto), Clownfish (Amphiprion spp.), Firefish (Nemateleotris spp.), and other dwarf angelfish species like the Flame Angelfish (Centropyge loriculus).
Although Multicolor Angelfish have been bred in an aquarium environment, raising the larvae to juveniles is challenging.
In the wild, a single male will oversee a harem of several females. Spawning usually occurs at dusk and the eggs are left to float in the water column.
In the wild, Multicolor Angelfish feed on algae, detritus and small benthic animals. In a reef tank or an aquarium with plenty of aged live rock, they will accept a wide range of angelfish preparations. Their diet should include a balance of spirulina, marine algae, seaweed, high quality omnivore pellets, frozen angelfish preparations, mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, copepods, and small crustaceans to mimic their natural diet and stimulate their foraging instincts. Small portions offered 3 or 4 times a day are recommended.
Multicolor Angelfish (Centropyge multicolor) are occasionally available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts through aquaculture, however, the majority of specimens are collected from the wild. A variety of online sources and specialty retail shops carry them on special order at prices ranging from $110.99 to $275.99 depending on size and area of collection.
Multicolor Angelfish (Centropyge multicolor)
Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallons
Aquarium Type: FOWLR or Reef with caution
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 75°F to 82°F, 8 to 12 dGH , pH 8.1 – 8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 3.5″
Color Form: Blue, Orange, Silver, Yellow
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Reef Safe with caution
Origin: Western and Central Pacific
Family: Pomacanthidae
Lifespan: 7 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate
