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Basics

Scientific Name: Hemitaurichthys polylepis

Family: Chaetodontidae

Origin: Indo-Pacific, Fiji

Quick Facts

• Care Level: Easy
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Lifespan: 5-7 years, possibly longer
• Reef Compatible: Yes
• Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
• Maximum Size: 7"
• Diet: Omnivore
• Minimum Tank Size: 100 gallons

Overview

The Pyramid Butterflyfish gets its name from the pyramid shaped marking on each side of its body. The tail and pyramid are white, while the remaining fins are yellow. The head and face is black. 

Schooling in reefs and feeding on plankton in the wild, it is a reef safe fish and can be kept singly, in a pair, or cohabitate with a small number of other butterflies. However, if it is underfed, it can pick at some soft corals. It is also a peaceful tankmate with a wide variety of other fish. It can be shy and should have plenty of hiding places within live rockwork. 

It should be fed a diet of frozen and freeze dried algae, brine shrimp and mysis shrimp.