Multibar Angelfish

Paracentropyge Multifasciatus
Multibar Angelfish - Marinewise © 2024 MarineWise

Quick Facts

Scientific name Paracentropyge Multifasciatus
Other names Barred Angelfish, Multibarred Angelfish, Banded Pygmy Angelfish, Many Banded Angelfish
Size Up to 12 cm (4.7 in)
Weight Under a kilo (2.2lb)

Distribution

Habitat & AU Distribution Caves and crevices in inner/outer reef slopes
Depth Range
Multibar Angelfish Distribution Australia

Interesting Info

  • The Multibar Angelfish are non-migratory, semi-aggressive fish and mostly found in pairs or small harems. Young fish stay in the shallows whilst adults can be found in up to 70 m (229 ft).
  • Multibar Angelfish like many other angelfish are broadcast spawners, releasing their eggs and sperm towards the top of the water column right before sunset. The fertilised eggs then float with the current and eventually settle on the bottom.
  • Juveniles have fewer bars and have a ocellus (eye-like marking) that stands out on their dorsal fin, it fades as the mature.
  • These fish are omnivores and primarily feed on algae and sponges, but also eat small invertebrates, zooplankton and plants.
  • Estimates on lifespan have them 5 and 7 years of age, the average for most dwarf angelfish species.
  • They are protogynous hermaphrodite, meaning that they are all born female and the dominant fish change gender to male
  • The main predators of angelfish include sharks, larger predatory fish and marine mammals.
Species Interaction

Aquarium & Reef

The Multibar Angelfish also known as the Barred Angelfish is a popular reef species known for its vertical black and white stripes and yellow underbelly. Juvenile fish typically stay in the shallows of inner reefs and lagoons whilst adults can be found on the outer reef in caves or crevices.

The fish has a large range across the Indo-Pacific including Cocos-Keeling Atoll, Society Islands to Yaeyama Islands and the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Actinopterygii

Order: Perciformes

Family: Pomacanthidae

Genus: Paracentropyge

Species: Paracentropyge multifasciata

Conservation Status

Based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Multibar Angelfish is currently categorised as “Least Concern”(LC).

LC is the lowest category on the scale for risk with “Extinct”(EX) being the highest.

Fish Taste Quality

Multibar Angelfish are a edible fish but are not a targeted species for consumption.

Taste Rating: 0/5

How to catch
Multibar Angelfish

Catch Difficulty: Easy

Bait: Prawns, Sponge, Weed, Worms

Popularity: Not targeted

Multibar Angelfish
As Aquarium Fish

Care Level: Moderate to difficult

Temperament: Semi-Aggressive

Diet: Omnivore

Reef Compatible: With caution

Minimum Tank Size: 70 gallons

Recreational Viewing
- Snorkeling & Scuba

Finding: Easy

Temperament: Semi-Aggressive

Danger: None