| Pyramid butterflyfish | |
|---|---|
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| Conservation status | |
 Least Concern (IUCN 3.1) | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Acanthuriformes |
| Family: | Chaetodontidae |
| Genus: | Hemitaurichthys |
| Species: | H. polylepis |
| Binomial name | |
| Hemitaurichthys polylepis (Bleeker, 1857) | |
| Synonyms | |
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The pyramid butterflyfish (Hemitaurichthys polylepis) is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a butterflyfish belonging to the family Chaetodontidae, native from central Indo-Pacific.
Description
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 (extendable) 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.
Distribution and habitat
The pyramid butterflyfish is widespread throughout the tropical and subtropical waters of the central Indo-Pacific from Cocos Keeling and Christmas Island to Polynesia and from south Japan to New-Caledonia.
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.
Biology
The pyramid butterflyfish lives in large schools, and feeds on plankton in open water out of its shelter reef.
Conservation 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 (LC) by the IUCN.
References
- ^ Myers, R.F.; Pratchett, M. (2010). "Hemitaurichthys polylepis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010: e.T165672A6087416. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T165672A6087416.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Hemitaurichthys polylepis". FishBase. December 2019 version.
- Lieske & Myers,Coral reef fishes,Princeton University Press, 2009, ISBN 9780691089959
- ^ Mark McGrouther (30 August 2019). "Pyramid Butterflyfish, Hemitaurichthys polylepis (Bleeker, 1857)". Australian Museum. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
- Ricardo Pinto (2011). "Underrated fish – Pyramid Butterflyfish (Hemitaurichthys polylepis)". reef.com. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
- Myers, R.F., 1999. Micronesian reef fishes: a comprehensive guide to the coral reef fishes of Micronesia, 3rd revised and expanded edition. Coral Graphics, Barrigada, Guam. 330 p.
- Allen, G.R. and M.V. Erdmann, 2012. Reef fishes of the East Indies. Perth, Australia: University of Hawai'i Press, Volumes I-III. Tropical Reef Research.
- Randall, J.E., 1985. Guide to Hawaiian reef fishes. Harrowood Books, Newtown Square, PA 19073, USA. 74 p.
External links
- Photos of Pyramid butterflyfish on Sealife Collection
| Taxon identifiers | |
|---|---|
| Hemitaurichthys polylepis |
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