| Pyramid butterflyfish (Hemitaurichthys polylepis) are | | | | semi-aggressive tank mates. They are not prone to |
| members of the family Chaetodontidae. This family | | | | hunger strikes when first introduced to a new |
| consists of over 120 species in 10 genera. Pyramids | | | | aquarium and will readily accept common variety fish |
| make their home in the Central Pacific and eastern | | | | foods. Pyramids have been reported to live up to 12 |
| Indian Oceans. Their habitat ranges form the Great | | | | years in captivity. |
| Barrier Reef north to Japan and east to Hawaii. Large | | | | This is a shoaling species and should not be kept as a |
| shoals of this species congregate around outer reef | | | | solitary specimen. A group of no less than four is |
| areas near oceanic drops-offs in depths from 10 to | | | | recommended. They will not squabble amongst |
| 200. | | | | themselves or with other members of the community |
| Pyramids are medium size fish. They can reach an | | | | if they are housed in spacious surroundings with |
| adult length of up to 7 inches. They are narrow in | | | | adequate hiding places. A 100 gallon or larger tank will |
| width with a roughly triangularly shaped profile. This | | | | provide them with the room they need to feel at |
| fish's name derives from the white pyramid that begins | | | | home. |
| on the underbellies on both side of their bodies and | | | | Pyramid butterflies are omnivorous. In their natural |
| terminates just below their dorsal fin. They have a | | | | habitat they are primarily planktonic feeders. The |
| white and yellow color palette with white caudal fins. | | | | water columns they derive their nutrition from in the |
| Juveniles have yellow heads. As the fish mature this | | | | wild are comprised of miniscule and microscopic |
| yellow will darken to a brown or a deep purplish brown | | | | crustaceans, plants, algae, archaea and bacteria. |
| in color. Pyramids are frequently sold by retailers under | | | | In captivity pyramids are not finicky eaters. They will |
| the name Yellow Zoster Butterfly. | | | | eat flake food and pellets. As with any marine |
| Butterflyfish are reputed to be hard to maintain. They | | | | specimen a varied diet will maintain general health, color |
| are notoriously unsuitable for marine reef tanks. The | | | | and vigor. Frozen and freeze dried food preparations |
| pyramid falls into neither of these categories. Pyramids | | | | that contain a good percentage of algae are adequate |
| have a moderate rather than difficult care level and | | | | supplements. Vitamin enriched brine and mysis shrimp |
| are considered reef safe provided they have an | | | | should also be on the menu. Dried algae sheets will |
| adequate food supply. This is a superbly adaptable | | | | help insure that these fish do not suffer from nutritional |
| species. These fish will acclimate quickly to their new | | | | deficiencies. Pyramids should be fed 2-3 times daily. |
| surroundings and will thrive under a variety of | | | | An adequate supply of well established living rock will |
| conditions. This is not a quarrelsome species. They lack | | | | provide them with healthy snack food between |
| the innate aggression present in many butterflyfish but | | | | feedings. An underfed pyramid may resort to nibbling |
| are assertive enough to be housed with | | | | on Xenia and other soft corals. |