TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch likes)
Family: Chaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes)
Genus/species: Hemitaurichthys polylepis
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS:They have a deep, laterally compressed body, a single, un-notched dorsal fin, and a small mouth with brushlike teeth. The color of the head is brown to black. The body has a large white pyramid-shaped area on its side and its scales are pearlescent. The dorsal and anal fins are yellow; caudal fin white.
Length up to 18 cm (7 in)
DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Eastern Indian, Western and Central Pacific Oceans. Among outer coral reefs usually close to drop offs, at depths 3–60 m (9-180 ft).
DIET IN THE WILD: Pyramid Butterflyfish are planktivores that aggregate in the water column. Unlike many other butterflyfishes, this species does not feed on coral polyps, so is considered a good choice for aquaria with live corals.
REPRODUCTION: Oviparous. Form pairs during breeding.
CONSERVATION: Least Concern (LC)
REMARKS: Occur in large schools that feed several meters above the edges of steep outer reef slopes.
References
California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium Philippine Coral Reef 2016
Ron’s flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/sets/72157625119200613/
Ron’s WordPress Shortlink wp.me/p1DZ4b-Gv
Australian museum australianmuseum.net.au/Pyramid-Butterflyfish-Hemitaurich…
fishbase: fishbase.org/summary/Hemitaurichthys-polylepis.htm
IUCN www.iucnredlist.org/details/165672/0