Pyramid butterflyfish (Hemitaurichthys polylepis)

Appearance

The pyramid butterflyfish is a small-sized fish that can reach a maximum length of 18 cm.

Its body is compressed laterally with a rounded body profile, and its snout protrudes forwards slightly with a small protrusible mouth. Its very characteristic livery leaves no doubt about the identification.

A dark brown-yellow area, the colour of which may vary in intensity, fully masks the head and extends to a line from the first rays of the dorsal fin to the start of its pelvic fins.

The rest of its body is white, peduncle and caudal fin included. Insertion of yellow-orange areas at the top of the side form a characteristic pyramidal pattern, hence the name of the fish. The anal fin is also yellow-orange.

Pyramid Butterflyfish - Hemitaurichthys polylepis Butterflyfish,Fish,French Polynesia,Hemitaurichthys polylepis,Pyramid Butterflyfish,Tahiti

Distribution

The pyramid butterflyfish is widespread throughout the tropical and subtropical waters of the central Indo-Pacific from Cocos Keeling and Christmas islands to Polynesia and from south Japan to New-Caledonia.Myers, R. & Pratchett, M. 2010. Hemitaurichthys polylepis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2015.2. . Downloaded on 08 September 2015.

The pyramid butterflyfish appreciates the outer reef slopes from which it can swim out into open water to get its food. It can be seen at depths from 3 to 60 meters deep.

Pyramid Butterflyfish - Hemitaurichthys polyepis Butterflyfish,Fish,Geotagged,Hemitaurichthys polylepis,Mabul,Malaysia,Pyramid butterflyfish,Spring

Status

The species as a planktivorous could be affected by climate-induced reductions in planktonic productivity. There do not appear to be any current threats to this species and it is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.Myers, R. & Pratchett, M. 2010. Hemitaurichthys polylepis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2015.2. . Downloaded on 08 September 2015.

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Behavior

The pyramid butterflyfish lives in large schools, and feeds on plankton in open water out of its shelter reef.

Pyramid Butterflyfish- Hemitaurichthys polylepis Dauin, Oct 2012.
This butterflyfish family contains a colorful collection of fishes with diverse body patterns. This butterflyfish bears a white pyramid-shaped patch on each side. As it grows its head changes color from yellow to brown. The butterflyfish can grow up to 18cm in length.
Habitat:

This species occurs in tropical marine waters of the Eastern Indian Ocean and Western and Central Pacific, from South-east Asia, Christmas Island and Coco-Keeling Atoll, north to Japan, south to Australia and east to the Hawaiian and Pitcairn Islandssrilanka. The Pyramid Butterflyfish is usually seen in depths between 3 m and 60 m in outer reef areas close to drop-offs. It often forms large shoals containing hundreds of individuals all swimming high in the water column feeding on plankton. Fall,Geotagged,Hemitaurichthys polylepis,Philippines,Pyramid butterflyfish

Habitat

The pyramid butterflyfish is widespread throughout the tropical and subtropical waters of the central Indo-Pacific from Cocos Keeling and Christmas islands to Polynesia and from south Japan to New-Caledonia.Myers, R. & Pratchett, M. 2010. Hemitaurichthys polylepis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2015.2. . Downloaded on 08 September 2015.

The pyramid butterflyfish appreciates the outer reef slopes from which it can swim out into open water to get its food. It can be seen at depths from 3 to 60 meters deep.

Taxonomy
Kingdom	Animalia
Division	Chordata
Class	Actinopterygii
Order	Acanthuriformes
Family	Chaetodontidae
Genus	Chaetodon
Species	H. polylepis

Pyramid butterflyfish

Hemitaurichthys polylepis

Appearance

Distribution

Status

Behavior

Habitat

References: