Pyramid Butterfly

Description

The Pyramid Butterflyfish has a laterally compressed, oval-shaped body with a distinctive color pattern. The head and anterior body are bright yellow, while a broad, dark gray band forms a triangular “pyramid” shape across the mid-body. The posterior body and tail are white to silver, creating a striking contrast.

Adults reach a maximum size of 12 cm (4.5 inches). Their peaceful nature and schooling tendencies make them ideal for groups of 6 or more individuals in a well-established aquarium.

Aquarium Requirements

Minimum Tank Size: 180–250 litres (50–65 US gallons)

Temperature: 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)

pH: 8.1–8.4

Specific Gravity (Salinity): 1.020–1.025

Alkalinity: 8–12 dKH

Ammonia & Nitrite: 0 ppm

Nitrate:< 10 ppm

Aquascape and Environment:
Provide a mature aquarium with open swimming space and moderate water flow. Live rock formations or gentle caves offer shelter for resting or retreat. Since they are schooling fish, maintain in groups to reduce stress and encourage natural behavior.

Diet and Feeding

The Pyramid Butterflyfish is primarily planktivorous, feeding on zooplankton in the wild. In captivity, it readily accepts frozen and prepared planktonic foods.

Recommended Foods:

• Frozen mysis shrimp, copepods, and brine shrimp

• High-quality marine carnivore flakes and micro-pellets

• Occasionally enriched zooplankton-based feeds

• Small live foods to encourage natural feeding behaviors

Feed 2–3 times daily in small portions, ideally in the water column to mimic natural planktivorous feeding.

Temperament and Compatibility

The Pyramid Butterflyfish is peaceful, social, and non-aggressive, making it highly compatible with most reef-safe fish species. It thrives in groups of at least 6 to display schooling behavior, which enhances both its well-being and visual impact.

Suitable Tankmates:

• Other peaceful schooling fish such as chromis, anthias, or small wrasses

• Gobies, blennies, and non-aggressive tangs

• Reef-safe invertebrates like shrimp and snails

Avoid:

• Large, aggressive species that may harass or outcompete them for food

• Housing singly, which can lead to stress and shy behavior

Reef Compatibility

✅ Reef Safe

The Pyramid Butterflyfish is entirely reef-safe. It does not nip at corals or sessile invertebrates, making it an excellent choice for community reef tanks.

Additional Information

Maximum Size: 12 cm (4.5 inches)
Lifespan: 6–8 years in captivity
Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate (requires group for schooling behavior and stable water conditions)
Natural Behaviour: Schooling, midwater swimmer, planktivorous
Origin: Indo-Pacific – Great Barrier Reef, Indonesia, Philippines, northern Australia
Colouration: Yellow head and anterior body, dark gray “pyramid” mid-body band, silver-white posterior body and tail

Summary

The Pyramid Butterflyfish (Hemitaurichthys zoster) is a small, peaceful, and visually striking planktivorous species that thrives in groups. Reef-safe and easy to feed, it is ideal for mid-sized to large community and reef aquariums. Its natural schooling behavior adds elegance, color, and dynamic movement to the midwater sections of a tank, making it an excellent choice for hobbyists seeking active, social butterflyfish.