The Multicolor angelfish (Centropyge Multicolor) is a deep water angel that live at depths from 50 to 200+ feet in the wild. Probably named after the variety of colors present on its body. Its body is white while its chest has a patch mixed with yellow, orange and red. Its dorsal and anal fins are a dark blue while its tail is yellow. The multicolor angel's most striking feature is its crown, a small patch of neon blue and purple lines that is also found on very rare Centropyge Nahackyi.
Like the flame angelfish (Centropyge Loriculus), it is collected from the Marshall Islands, Cook Islands and Fiji, not Hawaii as is commonly thought.
Due to the fact that they hail from deeper depths, they are priced on the high side. They retail for about $120. Some deep water dwarf angelfish tend to fare poorly in captivity, not so for the multicolor angelfish. It is a very hardy fish once fully acclimated.
Swim bladder damage during collection is not uncommon. If they are brought up too fast their swim bladder will start to expand, collectors solve the problem by poking it with a needle. Severe damage to the swim bladder will occur if this procedure is done incorrectly. Signs of a damaged swim bladder include :-
* Inability to maintain a leveled buoyancy * Tilting left, right, up or down inexplicably
Once a multicolor angel settles into your marine aquarium and starts staking out its territory it will become a bully. The multicolor angel along with the Brazilian flameback angel are two of the most aggressive marine angels i have ever kept.
Expect some hostility towards smaller tank mates. Nothing extreme, just a quick reminder of who's boss around the tank. You must give the rest of your fishes enough space.
I do not recommend putting two multicolor angels together. If you insist on having a pair, either buy a mated pair (good luck) or buy two multicolors (One large, one small) and introduce them together at the same time. Do not attempt this in aquariums smaller than 75 gallons.
The multicolor angelfish is considered a medium sized dwarf angelfish (Like the Coral Beauty Angelfish, Flame Angels). They are usually sold at sizes ranging from 2.5 to 4 inches. They should be housed in a saltwater aquarium no less than 50 gallons, a 75 gallon or larger tank is ideal.
There is not a lot of light at the depth its collected at so provide plenty of live rock for it to seek refuge. It must be given time to acclimate to captive lighting intensities. Once acclimated however, they are fearless.
Angelfish from the genus centropyge are all grazers in the wild. Like surgeonfish, they scan the rock throughout the day for food. They feed on small crustaceans, algae of various types and sometimes even detritus.
They should be given a balanced diet in a saltwater aquarium. Variety is important, feed them foods from a wide range of food groups. They should never be fed a single type of food for too long. Although there have been hobbyists that have fed them new life spectrum for long periods of time with no ill effects. It seemed like they were doing great in fact.
A good pellet like those by New life Spectrum should be offered along with algae/nori sheets plus a balanced frozen food (Formula One, Formula Two).
The perfect food for dwarf angels is the Pygmy Angel Formula by Ocean Nutrition. Ingredients such as kelp, krill, squid,squid, vitamins and minerals and much more are used in this frozen food. The ingredients mentioned are all added prior to freezing. Unfortunately Pygmy Angel Formula does not come in flake form.
