Are Pyramid Butterflyfish genuinely reef-safe?

Yes. Unlike most butterflyfish, they are natural planktivores that feed exclusively in the water column and will completely ignore your corals, clams, and decorative invertebrates.

Can I keep just one Pyramid Butterflyfish?

While a single specimen can adapt and do well, they are naturally schooling fish. They will display much more confident and natural behaviours if kept in a group of three or more in a suitably large tank.

Why is my newly introduced Pyramid Butterflyfish hiding?

They can be quite timid when first added to a new environment. Dimming the lights for the first few days and ensuring there are no aggressive tank mates will help them acclimatise and eventually venture out into the open water.

How often should I feed them?

Because they constantly expend energy swimming and feeding on tiny plankton in the wild, it is best to feed them small amounts two to three times a day rather than one large daily meal.

What kind of flow do they prefer?

They appreciate moderate to strong water flow, which mimics the currents on the outer reef slopes where they naturally congregate to feed on drifting zooplankton.

MarineMarineIntermediate

Pyramid Butterflyfish

Hemitaurichthys polylepis

A striking and entirely reef-safe butterflyfish that thrives in the upper water column and makes a fantastic display in a large community aquarium.

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Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 23 – 28 °C
pH range: 8.1 – 8.4
Hardness: 8 – 12 dGH
Salinity: 1.02 – 1.025 SG
Adult size: 15 – 18 cm
Minimum for a single specimen; larger for a shoal: 400 litres+
Lifespan: 5 – 10 years
Diet: Omnivore/Planktivore
Water flow: Moderate to strong
Preferred setup: Ample open swimming space with some rockwork for night-time shelter

About the Pyramid Butterflyfish

The Pyramid Butterflyfish (Hemitaurichthys polylepis) is one of the few butterflyfish species that is truly reef-safe. Characterised by its bold white and yellow pyramid-like pattern, this species is a mid-water planktivore that naturally congregates in vast numbers above outer reef slopes. In the home aquarium, they provide constant movement and a vivid splash of colour, making them highly desirable for large marine setups.

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Is it right for your tank?

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Where Pyramid Butterflyfish comes from

Native range

Indo-Pacific

Countries / regions

Indonesia, Philippines, Australia, Papua New Guinea, United States (Hawaii)

Habitat

Outer reef slopes and deep drop-offs where oceanic currents bring plankton

They congregate in huge numbers several metres above the reef structure to feed on zooplankton.

Similar species

Zoster Butterflyfish
Hemitaurichthys zoster
Schooling Bannerfish
Heniochus diphreutes
Pennant Coralfish
Heniochus acuminatus

We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.

Compatible tank mates

Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.

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Yellow Tang
Zebrasoma flavescens
Active, peaceful herbivores that share similar water requirements and will comfortably co-exist in a large community reef tank.
Great
Ocellaris Clownfish
Amphiprion ocellaris
Peaceful nature and distinct swimming zone preferences make them highly compatible with mid-water butterflyfish.
Great
Schooling Bannerfish
Heniochus diphreutes
Another reef-safe planktivore that appreciates similar high-flow, open-water environments.
Great
Clown Triggerfish
Balistoides conspicillum
Can become highly aggressive as they mature, potentially bullying or injuring the peaceful Pyramid Butterflyfish.
Compatible with caution
Panther Grouper
Chromileptes altivelis
Large predatory fish will easily swallow peaceful, moderately-sized butterflyfish whole.
Not recommended

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