Description:

Pyramid Butterfly - (No Online Purchases)

Hemitaurichthys Polylupis

The Pyramid Butterflyfish (Hemitaurichthys polylepis) is often considered the "holy grail" for reef keepers who love butterflyfish but fear for their corals. Unlike many of their cousins, these fish are pelagic planktivores, meaning they look for food in the water column rather than picking at your expensive reef.

Here is everything you need to know about keeping them in a home aquarium.

Care: intermediate
Reef Safe: yes
Temperament: Peaceful
Size: 18cm
Minimum Tank Size: 450+ Litres

Behaviour and Temperament
These are incredibly social fish. In the wild, they form massive schools. In the aquarium, they are peaceful and do best when kept in groups of three or more, though they can be kept singly.

They are rarely aggressive toward other species, but because they are active swimmers, they may intimidate very shy, tiny fish.

Diet and Feeding
Because they are planktivores, they have a high metabolism.

Frequency: Feed at least 3 times a day.

Food types: They love mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped seafood, and high-quality flake or pellet food.

Tip: If they stop eating, they can lose weight quickly. Variety is key to maintaining that vibrant yellow and white colouration.

Aquarium Setup
Swimming Space: They need plenty of open water. Don't overfill the centre of the tank with rockwork; they need "running room."

Water Flow: They enjoy moderate to high flow, mimicking the reef slopes they inhabit in the Indo-Pacific.

Acclimatisation: They can be a bit shy when first introduced. Ensure you have some caves for them to retreat into while they get fomiliarised with their new surroundings.

Important Considerations
While they are "reef safe," keep an eye on them if they are underfed. A starving fish might nip at xenia or zoanthids out of desperation, though this is rare for this specific genus.

Also, be sure to check for parasites upon purchase. Like many wild-caught butterflyfish, they can be susceptible to marine ich or velvet if stressed during transport.

• Origin:
• Adult Size:
• Social: Peaceful
• Care: Moderate