Multicolor angelfish (Centropyge multicolor)

Classification (WoRMS)

Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Chordata · Class: Teleostei · Order: Acanthuriformes · Family: Pomacanthidae · Genus: Centropyge.

Accepted name: Centropyge multicolor · Authority: Randall & Wass, 1974 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 278842.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=278842 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

Measured values published by FishBase for Centropyge multicolor. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.

Maximum length: 9 cm · Depth range: 20–115 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: short and / or deep · Vulnerability index: 10 of 100 · Fishery importance: commercial · Aquarium trade: commercial.

FishBase notes: Inhabits steep outer reef slopes, typically in small tracks of rubble between areas of rich coral growth (Ref. 33482). Benthopelagic at 20-90 m (Ref. 58302). Cryptic. Herbivorous (Ref. 33482).

Feeds readily in aquaria. Forms harems of 3-7 individuals. Rarely exported through the aquarium trade (Ref. 48391).

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 11000) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Centropyge-multicolor.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

54 georeferenced occurrence records for Centropyge multicolor are published through GBIF from 7 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 16 distinct locations from a sample of 54 records, omitting 1 inland record that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.

Most records by country or area: Marshall Islands (24); French Polynesia (22); Micronesia (Federated States of) (2); United States Minor Outlying Islands (2); United States of America (2); Kiribati (1); Palau (1).

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2396502) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2396502&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=278842 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Conservation status (IUCN Red List)

The IUCN Red List assesses Centropyge multicolor Randall & Wass, 1974 as Least Concern (code LC). No trend, population estimate or threat analysis is given here, because none is available from this source without the Red List API; follow the source link for the full assessment, including its date.

Source: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (taxon 165896) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/165896/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2396502) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2396502/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

Centropyge multicolor has a body which is mainly pale-peach to orange in colour. There is a blue area behind the eyes which is dotted with black spots. The dorsal and anal fins are an intense blue and the caudal fin is vivid yellow.

On the upper mid flank there is a patch of silvery-white colour which reaches to the caudal fin. The dorsal fin contains 14 spines and 16-17 soft rays while the anal fin has 3 spines and 17 soft rays. This species attains a maximum total length of 9 cm.

Distribution

Centropyge multicolor has been reported from many island groups in western and central Pacific Ocean. They have been recorded from Palau; the Caroline Islands in both the Federated States of Micronesia and Palau, Guam, Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Gilbert Islands in Kiribati, Fiji, Tonga, the Cook Islands and the Society Islands in French Polynesia. They have occurred as vagrants in the Hawaiian Islands and Johnston Atoll.

Habitat and biology

Centropyge multicolor is a benthopelagic species which can be found at depths between 20 and 90 m in areas of the outer reef slopes where there are patches of rubble located between areas of dense coral growth. This is a shy fish which is largely a herbivorous which feeds on algae, although it probably ingests small amounts of benthic animals.

It is typically encountered in harems of 3-7 fishes. This species is a protogynous hermaphrodite and has the ability to change sex from female to male. When there is no male present one of the females will change into a male.

Systematics

Centropyge multicolor was first formally described in 1974 by John E. Randall (1924-2020) and Richard C Wass with the type locality given as an ocean reef off Rigili Islet, Enewetak Atoll in the Marshall Islands,. Some authorities place this species in the subgenus Centropyge.

Utlisation

Centropyge multicolor is found in the aquarium trade, it has been bred in captivity and this has allowed this species to be more readily available for hobbyists.

Source: Wikipedia: Centropyge multicolor — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centropyge_multicolor (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.