Barred Angelfish, scientifically named Centropyge multifasciata, has several other common names, including Banded Pygmy Angelfish, Many-Banded Angelfish, Multi-Banded Angelfish, and Multibarred Angelfish.
This marine fish is a type of angelfish with ray-like fins and belongs to the Pomacanthidae family. It’s native to the Indo-Pacific region.
Barred angelfish typically lives in ledges, caves, and crevices on steep outer reef slopes and can sometimes be found in clear lagoon reefs.
It’s a secretive fish that rarely ventures far from its hiding place, usually staying within a few centimeters of an escape hole.
These fish form pairs or small groups. When kept in captivity, the barred angelfish often struggles to survive, as it tends to starve.
It’s known to swim upside-down at times.
Although occasionally exported for the aquarium trade, this fish should be considered reef safe only with caution since it may pose a risk to coral reefs in an aquarium environment.
You can check out what this fish looks like over here.
Barred Angelfish Interesting Facts
- Barred angelfish is a type of marine angelfish found in the Indo-Pacific.
- They prefer to live in ledges and caves within steep outer reef slopes and clear lagoon reefs.
- This fish is known for its secretive behavior and rarely goes far from an escape hole, often hiding upside-down.
- Though occasionally exported through the aquarium trade, it’s challenging to keep this species alive in captivity since they usually starve.
Barred Angelfish Habitat
Barred angelfish is found in the Indo-Pacific region, ranging from the Cocos-Keeling Atoll to the Society Islands, north to the Yaeyama Islands, and south to the Great Barrier Reef.
This marine fish lives in reef environments and doesn’t migrate.
It can typically be found at depths between 7 and 70 meters (about 23 to 230 feet), usually between 20 and 70 meters (66 to 230 feet).
The fish thrives in tropical climates and is found in areas with latitudes between 35° North and 25° South.
| Water Temperature: | Unknown |
| Water pH: | Unknown |
| Water Hardness: | Unknown |
Barred Angelfish Physical Characteristics
Size: 4.7 inches (12.0 centimeters)
Barred angelfish can grow up to 12 cm (about 4.7 in) in length. It has 13 dorsal spines, 17 to 19 soft dorsal rays, 3 anal spines, and 17 to 18 soft anal rays.
This fish has a generally white body with 8 brown bars extending through the dorsal and anal fins, which turn orange-yellow on the lower side.
The first bar runs through the eye, while the last one runs across the base of the caudal fin (tail fin).
There is also a yellow bar in the middle of each white space on the side of the fish.
A black spot can be found on the distal part of the soft portion of the dorsal fin.
The body depth of this fish is 1.5 to 1.7 times smaller than its length, and it has 42 to 48 scales in its longitudinal series.
Barred Angelfish Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Pomacanthidae |
| Genus: | Paracentropyge |
| Scientific Name: | Centropyge multifasciata |
| Also Known As: | Barred Angelfish, Banded Pygmy Angelfish, Many-Banded Angelfish, Multi-Banded Angelfish, Multibarred Angelfish |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |