Pyramid Butterflyfish care guide
Pyramid Butterflyfish (Hemitaurichthys polylepis) — minimum tank 300 L, temperature 24-27 °C, pH 8.1-8.4.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
The Pyramid Butterflyfish (Hemitaurichthys polylepis) is a planktivorous butterflyfish reaching about 18 cm. The body is split into a bright white triangular "pyramid" against a yellow back and yellow head and tail — a striking pattern that stands out against deep blue water.
Taxonomy
- Family: Chaetodontidae
- Genus: Hemitaurichthys
- Scientific name: Hemitaurichthys polylepis
Habitat
Distributed across the tropical western and central Pacific from southern Japan and the Philippines to Hawaii, Pitcairn and the Coral Sea. Adults form large aggregations on steep outer reef walls and pinnacles from 3 to 60 m depth, feeding in the water column.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 300 L (79.3 US gal)
- Adult size: 14-18 cm
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- GH: 8-12 °dGH
- Water flow: moderate
- Lifespan: 5-10 years
- Salinity: SG 1.024-1.026
- Carbonate hardness (dKH): 8-12
- School size: ≥3 individuals
Diet
Unusual for butterflyfishes, this species is a midwater planktivore that feeds on copepods, larval crustaceans and other zooplankton picked from the water column. In aquaria it readily accepts frozen mysis, enriched brine shrimp, copepods and small pellets and is one of the easiest butterflyfishes to feed.
Compatibility
Peaceful and conspecific-tolerant — small groups of 3 or more can be kept in suitably large tanks. Compatible with peaceful marine community fish, including reef-safe species such as Anthias, Chromis, smaller wrasses and gobies. Active midwater swimmer that benefits from open swimming room.
Reef compatibility
Reef-safe. Because the species feeds on zooplankton rather than coral polyps, it does not damage stony or soft corals, clams or anemones and is one of the few butterflyfishes recommended for reef aquaria.
Breeding
A pelagic broadcast spawner that forms temporary pairs within feeding aggregations. Captive breeding has not been achieved at a commercial scale.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern. The species is widespread in the Indo-Pacific and the global population is not considered to be at risk.
Pyramid Butterflyfish (Hemitaurichthys polylepis) Breeding Guide
Overview
Hemitaurichthys polylepis is a butterflyfish (family Chaetodontidae) of the Pacific Ocean, reaching about 18 cm. It is a planktivore that occurs in large schools along steep, current-swept outer reef slopes (FishBase). It is oviparous and forms pairs during breeding (FishBase). As a butterflyfish it is a pelagic spawner and is not bred in home aquariums.
Sexing
External sexual dimorphism is not documented in the consulted sources; the species forms pairs during breeding, but reliable visual sexing is not described.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Butterflyfish are pelagic spawners that release many buoyant eggs into the water, which become part of the plankton and float with the currents until hatching (Wikipedia). The pyramid butterflyfish forms pairs during breeding (FishBase). Because eggs are released into open water in current-swept reef environments, spawning cannot be reproduced or captured in an aquarium.
Egg & Fry Care
Butterflyfish larvae pass through the tholichthys stage, in which the post-larval body is covered in large bony plates lost on maturation (Wikipedia). The prolonged planktonic larval phase and minute first-stage larvae make these fish among the hardest marine species to rear; no home protocol exists for this species.
Common Challenges
Broadcast pelagic eggs, a long drifting larval period, and the tholichthys stage put breeding Hemitaurichthys polylepis beyond home aquaria. A small group can be kept successfully, but reproduction to settlement is not achievable at home.