Multibar Angelfish

Also known as the Many-banded Angelfish or Paracentropyge multifasciata

The Multibar Angelfish is a rare and highly sought-after dwarf angelfish species distinguished by its elegant white to pale silver body adorned with numerous vertical black or dark brown bars. Native to deep reef slopes in the Western Pacific, this elusive and delicate species represents one of the ultimate prizes for advanced marine aquarists, combining understated beauty with extreme rarity and challenging husbandry requirements.

Key Features

• Scientific Name: Paracentropyge multifasciata (formerly Paracentropyge multifasciata)
• Common Names: Multibar Angelfish, Many-banded Angelfish, Multibarred Angelfish, Barred Angelfish
• Adult Size: Up to 4–5 inches
• Lifespan: 5–10+ years with proper care (though wild specimens often have shorter lifespans in captivity)
• Temperament: Peaceful to semi-aggressive; extremely shy and reclusive
• Reef Compatibility: Generally reef-safe with caution – may occasionally nip at coral polyps but far less destructive than most dwarf angels
• Minimum Tank Size: 75+ gallons preferred
• Experience Level: Expert only

Habitat & Tank Requirements

• Tank Environment: Requires extensive rockwork with deep caves, crevices, and dim, sheltered areas. Multibar Angels are naturally found at depths of 50–200+ feet and require low-light refuges. This is one of the most reclusive angelfish species—expect to see it infrequently, especially initially.
• Water Parameters:
  • Temperature: 72–76°F (22–24°C) – prefers cooler temperatures than most tropical fish
  • Salinity: 1.024–1.026
  • pH: 8.1–8.4
  • Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
  • Nitrate: <10 ppm (very sensitive to poor water quality)
  • dKH: 8–12
• Aquascape: Dense, complex live rock formations with deep caves and multiple hiding spots are absolutely essential. This species requires dim, cave-like environments and will spend most of its time in deep recesses. Subdued lighting is strongly preferred.
• Compatibility: Peaceful and can be easily intimidated or outcompeted by aggressive tank mates. Best housed with other peaceful, non-competitive species such as firefish, small gobies, peaceful wrasses, and cardinalfish. Avoid housing with aggressive feeders, boisterous fish, or other dwarf angels. Can sometimes be kept in pairs or small groups if introduced simultaneously, though success varies.

Diet & Feeding

Multibar Angelfish are specialized omnivores with challenging feeding requirements:

• Natural Diet: In the wild, feeds primarily on algae, sponges, and small benthic invertebrates from deep reef slopes
• Meaty Foods: Mysis shrimp, vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped seafood, copepods, live brine shrimp (useful for initiating feeding)
• Plant Matter: Marine algae, spirulina, nori sheets (finely shredded), herbivore pellets
• Specialty Items: Foods containing sponge material (important for long-term health)
• Live Rock: Essential for providing natural grazing opportunities on microalgae and microfauna
• Feeding Challenges: Often extremely difficult to feed initially; may refuse prepared foods for extended periods. Requires patience and may need target feeding in caves or dim areas. Live foods may be necessary to initiate feeding response.
• Feeding Schedule: Feed 2–3 times daily once established, though getting them to feed regularly can take weeks. Ensure food reaches their preferred hiding spots.

Notes & Considerations

• Extreme Rarity: One of the rarest dwarf angelfish in the aquarium trade. Limited collection due to deep-water habitat and difficult collection methods. Specimens command premium prices and are infrequently available.
• Collection Depth Issues: Collected from depths of 50–200+ feet, making proper decompression critical. Many specimens suffer from barotrauma (pressure-related injuries) during collection, leading to high mortality rates. Only purchase from reputable dealers who ensure proper decompression protocols.
• Behavior: Exceptionally shy and reclusive—among the most secretive of all marine aquarium fish. Will spend most of its time hiding in deep caves and rockwork. Sightings may be brief and infrequent, especially in brightly lit tanks or with boisterous tank mates. This is not a display fish; it’s a species for dedicated specialists who appreciate knowing it’s there rather than seeing it constantly.
• Acclimation Challenges: Extremely delicate during acclimation and the first several weeks in captivity. Requires:
  • Pristine water quality with rock-solid stability
  • Stress-free environment with no aggressive fish
  • Dim lighting and extensive hiding spots
  • Mature tank with established microfauna on live rock
  • Patient approach to feeding—may take weeks to accept foods
  • Minimal disturbance during adjustment period
• Feeding Difficulty: Widely considered one of the most challenging dwarf angels to maintain proper feeding. Many specimens refuse prepared foods indefinitely and slowly starve. Success requires:
  • Abundant live rock with natural food sources
  • Multiple daily feedings with varied foods
  • Target feeding near hiding spots
  • Patience and persistence
  • Willingness to use live foods if necessary
• Coral Compatibility: Generally more reef-safe than most Centropyge species due to specialized diet. May occasionally nip at coral polyps but is far less destructive than Lemonpeels, Flame Angels, or other common dwarf angels. Still, individual behavior varies.
• Light Sensitivity: Prefers dimmer lighting conditions reflecting their deep-water origins. Bright reef lighting may keep them permanently hidden. Consider providing shaded areas or using less intense lighting in tanks housing this species.
• Gender: Sexual dimorphism is minimal. Multibar Angels are protogynous hermaphrodites. Captive breeding has not been documented.
• Disease Susceptibility: Highly sensitive to stress and prone to:
  • Marine ich (Cryptocaryon) and velvet (Amyloodinium) during acclimation
  • Bacterial infections if stressed or in poor conditions
  • Starvation due to feeding difficulties
  • Barotrauma complications from collection
  • Extended quarantine is essential but must be balanced against feeding challenges
• Tank Maturity: Should only be added to mature, well-established systems (9+ months old) with abundant natural food sources on live rock and stable biological filtration.
• Observation Challenges: Due to extreme shyness, verifying health and feeding can be difficult. May require nighttime observations with red light or careful monitoring of feeding spots.
• Success Rate: Frankly low in most home aquariums. This species has a reputation for high mortality in captivity, primarily due to collection trauma, feeding difficulties, and stress sensitivity. Only experienced aquarists with appropriate setups should attempt this species.
• Ethical Considerations: Given the high mortality rate, difficult collection from deep water, and feeding challenges, aquarists should carefully consider whether they can provide appropriate conditions before purchasing this species.

Why Choose a Quarantined Multibar Angelfish?

Our quarantined Multibar Angelfish have been carefully observed and prepared over several weeks. They’ve shown they can eat prepared foods, have no signs of injury or stress, and have been treated for parasites in calm conditions. Because this species is very difficult to keep and has a high death rate, proper quarantine and feeding are essential. Even with our efforts, these fish are best for expert aquarists with specialized reef tanks who understand the challenges. They are not for casual hobbyists but for experienced breeders who value rarity and the challenge.