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)

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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