Pyramid butterflyfish
Hemitaurichthys polylepis
FishSaltwater
- Care level
- Moderate
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Reef safe
- Yes
- Recommended tank
- 400 L
- Maximum size
- 18 cm
- Temperature
- 24–27 °C
- pH
- 8–8.4
- Group size
- ≥ 5
- Diet
- Planktivore
Care at a glance
The pyramid butterflyfish has a white triangle on a dark flank, running from back to belly like a pyramid. Unlike most butterflyfish it does not pick at corals but hangs in open water catching plankton, which makes it one of the few reef-safe butterflies.
It comes from deeper, current-swept water along steep reef slopes and is therefore not a fish for a small tank. Keep it in a small group in a long aquarium with strong flow and feed several small portions a day.
Related species
Keep Pyramid butterflyfish in the BlubHub app
Add this species to your inhabitants, with count and photos, and see the care info next to your own water values, target bands and reminders. Free, no account, everything on your own device.
Values are mainstream hobbyist guidance, not gospel — always watch what your own animals need.