Yellow Pyramid Butterflyfish (Hemitaurichthys polylepis)

The Yellow Pyramid Butterflyfish is a beautiful and peaceful species, known for its vibrant yellow upper body and triangular white lower body. Unlike many butterflyfish, the Yellow Pyramid Butterflyfish is completely reef-safe, making it an ideal addition to reef aquariums. It is a schooling species in the wild, and keeping them in groups will encourage their natural behavior, bringing elegance and motion to any tank.

Care Information

• Maximum Size: Up to 7 inches.
• Tank Size: 125 gallons minimum; a spacious tank with plenty of open swimming areas and live rock for grazing is recommended, especially if keeping a school of these butterflyfish.
• Diet: Omnivorous; feeds on plankton in the wild and should be provided with a varied diet in captivity, including frozen and dried plankton, brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and high-quality marine pellets. Offering algae-based foods will also help maintain health.
• Water Temp: 72-78°F.
• Salinity: 1.020-1.025.
• Aggression: Peaceful; best kept in groups or pairs. It is a schooling fish by nature and thrives in the company of others. It coexists well with other peaceful tankmates in a reef environment.
• Skill Level: Intermediate; requires stable water conditions and a varied diet.
• Reef Compatibility: Completely reef-safe; this species does not harm corals or invertebrates, making it a perfect addition to reef tanks.

Special Feature - Schooling Behavior
In the wild, the Yellow Pyramid Butterflyfish is often found in large schools, and it will display the same social behavior in captivity when kept in groups. Providing a group of these fish encourages natural interaction and brings a dynamic, peaceful presence to the aquarium.

Coloration

• Indo-Pacific Region: The Yellow Pyramid Butterflyfish features a vibrant yellow upper body and a white, triangular lower body. Its bold colors and distinct shape make it a visually stunning fish in both reef and community tanks​.

Typical Habitat

• Distribution: Native to the Indo-Pacific, the Yellow Pyramid Butterflyfish inhabits coral-rich areas and outer reef slopes. It thrives in areas with strong water flow and ample swimming space, where it feeds on plankton and small organisms in the water column.