The Multibar dwarf angel is perhaps my most favored of all the dwarf angels, well of the affordable ones anyway. Many will point to the likes of the flame angel as their favorite or one of the other very nice species that are regularly imported and for sale at your LFS. You won't often hear the Multibar angel mentioned in amongst the most desirable of the dwarf angels which in truth is a bit baffling to me. I won't go at length describing the colours or patterns on the fish as I have attached a pic of the one I had to this post. "Had" being the word as I have moved mine on for reasons I will explain. I have broken my tank down due to a disaster while away on holiday which resulted in me losing about 80% and 70% of my fish. Long story but that's it in a nutshell
Now people will tell you the Multibar is a difficult fish to keep and rather shy. This is simply not so in my experience. They can be a little tricky to settle in and get feeding initially but after some weeks settled and eating they are quite hardy. To highlight their hardiness I lost a number of damsels and gobies during my disaster while the multibar survived if a little worse for wear but it has now fully recovered and doing well for the new owner. They do like lots of holes and arches etc to swim through in the reefscape or even hide if they feel threatened. If you provide them with the right habitat they will spend much more time in view in my experience. They are quickly out when food is offered once fully settled in and will eat with gusto.
Multibars are similar in price to the flame angel perhaps a little cheaper here in the UK. However, they are not as common as some of the other dwarf angels. Unfortunately many do not seem to travel so well and there is a question mark over their capture. The may be found deeper on the reef than some of the other dwarfs as I have seen some for sale with obvious swim bladder problems. Also, unless acclimatized for a few weeks in the LFS leave it be. I would advise against buying an adult specimen with IMO an ideal size being 2.1/2 "to 3"l. The specimen should have been in the LFS for a number of weeks alert and eating a variety of foods with no signs of any physical damage of course.
Once your fish is settled in and eating well and after around 6 weeks you should be over the danger period when it is most likely to lose the fish after which it should be quite hardy. The Multibar should be fed a little and often, I fed my tank at least 3 times a day and more often 4 times. I fed among others, my homemade food plus frozen rotifers, brine shrimp small mysis, lobster fish and oyster eggs. These little jewels are slow growers and their tank mates should be chosen carefully. These fish are easily bullied at first having said that my damsels took little notice of it when introduced just a bit of initial chasing for the first day with no serious attacks or damage done. I won't go on about parameters as it goes without saying water quality should be very good as with all angelfish.
The Multibar angel represents a challenge but it is not as difficult as many make out and well add something different to the normal dwarf angels with its black stripped vertical markings against its white background
One more important point if you have acans sooner or later they will start pecking at them so do be warned. However, mine never showed the slightest interest in any other of my corals LPS SPS or softies.
Now people will tell you the Multibar is a difficult fish to keep and rather shy. This is simply not so in my experience. They can be a little tricky to settle in and get feeding initially but after some weeks settled and eating they are quite hardy. To highlight their hardiness I lost a number of damsels and gobies during my disaster while the multibar survived if a little worse for wear but it has now fully recovered and doing well for the new owner. They do like lots of holes and arches etc to swim through in the reefscape or even hide if they feel threatened. If you provide them with the right habitat they will spend much more time in view in my experience. They are quickly out when food is offered once fully settled in and will eat with gusto.
Multibars are similar in price to the flame angel perhaps a little cheaper here in the UK. However, they are not as common as some of the other dwarf angels. Unfortunately many do not seem to travel so well and there is a question mark over their capture. The may be found deeper on the reef than some of the other dwarfs as I have seen some for sale with obvious swim bladder problems. Also, unless acclimatized for a few weeks in the LFS leave it be. I would advise against buying an adult specimen with IMO an ideal size being 2.1/2 "to 3"l. The specimen should have been in the LFS for a number of weeks alert and eating a variety of foods with no signs of any physical damage of course.
Once your fish is settled in and eating well and after around 6 weeks you should be over the danger period when it is most likely to lose the fish after which it should be quite hardy. The Multibar should be fed a little and often, I fed my tank at least 3 times a day and more often 4 times. I fed among others, my homemade food plus frozen rotifers, brine shrimp small mysis, lobster fish and oyster eggs. These little jewels are slow growers and their tank mates should be chosen carefully. These fish are easily bullied at first having said that my damsels took little notice of it when introduced just a bit of initial chasing for the first day with no serious attacks or damage done. I won't go on about parameters as it goes without saying water quality should be very good as with all angelfish.
The Multibar angel represents a challenge but it is not as difficult as many make out and well add something different to the normal dwarf angels with its black stripped vertical markings against its white background
One more important point if you have acans sooner or later they will start pecking at them so do be warned. However, mine never showed the slightest interest in any other of my corals LPS SPS or softies.
