Multicolor Angel (Centropyge Multicolor)
Size: S,M
Species Name : Centropyge Multicolor
Care Level : Moderate
Temperament : Semi-aggressive
Color : Black, Blue, Orange, White, Yellow
Diet : Omnivore
Reef Compatible : With Caution
Water Conditions : sg 1.020-1.025, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size : 3½"
Origin : Marshall Island, Central Pacific
Family : Pomacanthidae
Minimum Tank Size : 70 gallons
Multicolor Angelfish (Centropyge Multicolor), the Pastel Pygmy Angelfish or Pearlback Angelfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a marine angelfish belonging to the family Pomacanthidae.
The Multicolor Angelfish is pale peach-orange to yellow. Black speckles on a background of blue highlight an area just behind the eyes. The dorsal and anal fins are blue-black while the caudal fin is yellow. In bright contrast to its other colors, there is a horizontal swatch of silvery-white from mid-body to the caudal fin. These are among one of the least aggressive of the dwarf angelfish.
The Multicolor Angelfish needs a minimum of a 70 gallon tank with lots of hiding places and live rock for grazing on microalgae. It does best in subdued lighting, since in the wild, it is a deep-water swimmer. They do not do well smaller tanks due to their active nature and tendency to be aggressive toward similar sized and smaller non-aggressive fish.
The best tank companions for these angelfish are dottybacks, damsels, tangs, larger angelfish and less aggressive triggerfish like the Niger Trigger. It's not advisable to keep them with fairy wrasses, anthias, butterflyfish, other angelfish, or any other peaceful fish as they will harass these tankmates constantly. The Multicolor Angelfish may nip at fleshy stony and soft corals (sessile invertebrates) and clam mantles.
Multicolor Angelfish are known to be protogynous hermaphrodite. This species starts out as female and reverses its sex when the need arises, usually the larger and more dominant individual changes to become male.
Dwarf Angelfish are omnivore's. The diet of the Multicolor Angelfish should include Spirulina, high-quality angelfish preparations, mysis or frozen shrimp, and other high-quality meaty items. Feed several times a day even if natural foods are present.
Size: Small 1" to 1 1/2"; Medium 1 1/2" to 2 1/2"; Large 2 1/2" to 3"