Barred angelfish (Centropyge multifasciata) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Banded pygmy angelfish, Many-banded angelfish, Multibarred angelfish
Family
Pomacanthidae (marine angelfishes)
Origin
Indo-Pacific, Cocos (Keeling) Islands to the Society Islands, southern Ryukyus and Great Barrier Reef; caves and overhangs on outer reef slopes, 7–70 m
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
12 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.023–1.026
Minimum tank
300 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
peaceful
Reef safe
with_caution

Care

Needs a mature reef with plenty of caves and overhangs, and subdued areas. The minimum tank size of about 300 litres is our own estimate from the adult size and habits, not a figure from the sources. No species-specific water figures are given in the sources, so the values here are general marine aquarium guidance rather than figures for this fish: 24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4 and a specific gravity of 1.023–1.026. Keep conditions stable, with low nitrate and good oxygenation. Secretive and rarely far from shelter; shy after introduction. Less aggressive than most angelfish. Lives in harems of one male and several females. White with bold vertical black bars that turn yellow towards the belly and fins. Not rare in the trade and mid-priced. The article gives no IUCN category. Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centropygemultifasciata). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Thought to eat algae, sponges, tunicates and crustaceans. May refuse frozen or prepared foods at first, especially in a bare quarantine tank; offer live rock to graze plus frozen mysis, enriched brine shrimp, angelfish foods and marine algae.

Breeding

Marine angelfish are pelagic broadcast spawners: a pair rises into the water column, usually around dusk, and releases eggs and sperm together. Protogynous hermaphrodite. Eggs are about 0.7 mm and hatch in 16–18 hours, with a larval stage of up to 50 days. Not bred in home aquaria.

Compatibility and tank mates

Listed as reef safe with caution. Dwarf angelfish graze live rock and may nip large-polyp stony corals, zoanthids and clam mantles, especially when underfed. Keep one per tank (or one male with females in a large system) and avoid other Centropyge unless the tank is big and well furnished. Generally fine with clownfish, gobies, wrasses and tangs.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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