Species learning profile

Pyramid butterflyfish

Hemitaurichthys polylepis

Pyramid butterflyfish (Hemitaurichthys polylepis) is a saltwater fish associated with reef habitat in Indo-Pacific. Large schools rise above steep reef slopes to feed.

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TerumbuChaetodontidae

At a glance

Perairan
Air laut
Habitat
Terumbu
Panjang maksimum
18 cm
Sebaran
Indo-Pasifik
Famili
Chaetodontidae
Ordo
Perciformes

Observe

How to identify Pyramid butterflyfish

  • Large schools rise above steep reef slopes to feed.
  • Guide context: reef habitat in Indo-Pacific.
  • Reported maximum length: 18 cm — roughly ruler-length. Maximum is not the same as typical adult size.

Field note: color, size, and markings can change with age, sex, season, depth, and lighting. Use several traits together.

Place and pattern

Where it lives—and how it behaves

Habitat and range

This species is associated with reef habitat across Indo-Pacific. Reef crevices provide shelter while current, coral, algae, and neighboring animals supply food.

Behavior

Schools in current above drop-offs

Food-web connections

What it eats and why it matters

Diet

Zooplankton.

Ecological role

Moves plankton nutrients into reef food webs.

Remember

One fact worth keeping

Pyramid butterflyfish dapat tumbuh hingga sekitar 18 cm dan sering ditemukan di sekitar Terumbu.

Think like a conservationist

A conservation lens

Reef fish are affected by coral loss, warming, destructive fishing, pollution, and the removal of key grazers or predators.

This habitat lens is not a current population-status assessment. Status can differ among regions and change as new assessments are published; follow the reference links and local fisheries or wildlife agencies for current decisions.

Recall

Quick knowledge check

Which habitat is most closely associated with Pyramid butterflyfish in this guide?

Keep exploring

References and further reading

Fishdle summarizes stable identification and ecology concepts in plain language. Taxonomy and population knowledge continue to change, so use primary assessments and regional authorities for conservation or management decisions.

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