Centropyge multicolor

Randall & Wass, 1974

Multicolor Angelfish, Pastel Pygmy Angelfish, Many-colored Angelfish

Range: Pacific Ocean: Palau, Marshall, Gilbert, Fiji, Cook, Tonga, and Society Islands, and north to Hawaii.

Size: 3.5 inches (9 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits rubal areas between coral rich zones on steep outer reef slopes at 35 to about 200 feet (10 – 65 m) and feeds on algae, worms, and crustaceans.

General Husbandry: This beautiful dwarf angelfish at one time in the hobby was quite rare, but has recently become more available and now is quite reasonably priced. It has a pale-peach to orange colored body with black spots on a blue area behind the eyes, and its dorsal and anal fins are a deep blue while the caudal fin is bright yellow. There’s also some silvery white on the upper mid body to the caudal fin. Said to be very secretive in the wild and because of its natural shyness its highly recommended it be added to only well established aquariums containing lots of live rock that will provide it many caves and crevices to explore and/or hide in when feeling threatened, and specially so since its a fairly low light deep water species. Its also recommended they not be placed in aquariums with other genus species or docile or more passive species as they can become abusive to less aggressive species, small or larger. In fact, its tankmates should be all be more aggressive species.

As to diet, they will accept a wide variety of frozen foods including fortified brine shrimp, mysis, and especially those containing sponge matter/angelfish food preparations. Flake food is also accepted, and should include algae-based foods, including Spirulina. Two feedings per day is, at a minimum, highly recommended.

Not suited for small nano style aquariums, as they will become very aggressive in small surroundings, and furthermore, without numerous feedings per day, be able to find enough food to be maintained long-term.

Taxonomy:

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Percoidei

Family: Pomacanthidae

Genus: Centropyge

FYI: All Centropyge species start life as unsexed individuals, but begin their adult life as females. Then, the larger or more dominant individual within small groups will change sex within a few days to a couple of weeks and become a male. Knowing that size is the main difference between the sexes, and not so much its coloration, all one needs to do is place a small and larger specimen together. Within approximately sixty days one of the two fish will have physically changed sex to accommodate the other. A reversal of this sex change is possible if the need arises, but that requires much more time, e.g., weeks to months.

Keep in mind all angels have cheekspines at the edge of their gill cover; therefore use caution when handling and also avoid using a net to capture it, as it may become stuck or tangled in the net and become damaged when removed.

Captive bred specimens are becoming available.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Diet: Omnivore

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Reef aquarium (see below) or fish-only aquarium (see below)

Fish-Only Aquarium: Caution - see above comments.

Reef Safe: Caution - has a tendency to nip clam mantles, and large and small–polyped stony (LPS/SPS) corals.

Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons

Temperature Range: 72 - 82°F (22 – 27°C).

Specific Gravity: 1.020-1.027

pH: 8.0 - 8.5