Pyramid Butterfly - Hemitaurichthys polylepis

Pyramid Butterflyfish (Hemitaurichthys polylepis)

The Pyramid Butterflyfish, Hemitaurichthys polylepis, is a striking and elegant marine butterflyfish, admired for its bold black head, bright yellow fins and large white pyramid-shaped body marking. Unlike many butterflyfish that feed heavily on coral polyps, this species is primarily a plankton-feeding butterflyfish, making it one of the more suitable butterflyfish choices for mature reef aquariums. Active, peaceful and graceful in open water, it can make a beautiful feature fish for larger marine systems, especially where good swimming space and regular feeding can be provided.

Common Name:
Pyramid Butterflyfish, Yellow Pyramid Butterflyfish, Shy Butterflyfish, Pyramid Butterfly.

Scientific Name (Latin):
Hemitaurichthys polylepis

Maximum Size:
Around 18 cm, making it a medium-sized butterflyfish that requires good swimming space.

Water Type:
Marine

Origin / Natural Habitat:
Found across Pacific reef regions, from Christmas Island in the eastern Indian Ocean through Indonesia, Hawaii, the Line Islands and Pitcairn Islands, north to southern Japan and south to Rowley Shoals and New Caledonia. In the wild, Pyramid Butterflyfish are usually associated with outer reef slopes, reef drop-offs and clear open reef areas with good water movement. They are often seen swimming in groups above the reef, feeding from the water column.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–27°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Hardness or Salinity: SG 1.020–1.025

Temperament:
Peaceful to mildly semi-aggressive. Pyramid Butterflyfish are generally more peaceful than many other butterflyfish and can be kept with a wide range of peaceful to moderately active marine fish. They may be kept singly, in pairs or in groups in suitably large aquariums, although group keeping requires enough space and careful feeding to prevent competition.

Diet:
Planktivore with omnivorous tendencies. In the wild, this species feeds mainly on zooplankton in the water column. In the aquarium, offer a varied diet including frozen mysis shrimp, enriched brineshrimp, cyclops, copepod-based foods, finely chopped seafood, quality marine pellets and marine flakes. Several smaller feeds per day are ideal, as this species is naturally adapted to regular plankton feeding.

Minimum Tank Size:
A practical minimum of around 400–500 litres is recommended for a single specimen, with larger aquariums preferred for pairs or groups. Provide open swimming space, mature rockwork, strong filtration, good oxygenation and stable water quality.

Behaviour & Activity:
An active, graceful swimmer that spends much of its time in open water above the rockwork. Pyramid Butterflyfish are less secretive than many coral-picking butterflyfish and often settle well into larger peaceful marine communities. In the wild, they may form large aggregations over reef slopes and drop-offs, so they appreciate open swimming lanes and good water movement in the aquarium. A secure lid is recommended, as startled marine fish can jump.

Reef Safe:
Reef Safe with Caution
Pyramid Butterflyfish are widely regarded as one of the more reef-suitable butterflyfish because they are primarily plankton feeders rather than coral-polyp specialists. They do not normally target corals in the same way as many Chaetodon butterflyfish, but individual behaviour can vary. Occasional investigation of soft corals, LPS, zoanthids, feather dusters or other sessile invertebrates is still possible, especially if underfed, so they should be monitored in reef aquariums.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept in a mature, spacious marine aquarium with stable water quality and regular feeding. This species benefits from open swimming space and should not be kept in cramped aquariums. If keeping a pair or group, introduce them together where possible and provide a large enough aquarium to reduce competition. Because they are active plankton feeders, smaller frequent meals are recommended. Avoid aggressive tank mates that may prevent them from feeding confidently.

Suitable for:
Intermediate fishkeepers

Availability:
Occasionally available in the marine aquarium trade / Availability can vary depending on collection, import, size and supplier

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.