Pyramid Butterflyfish

TAXONOMY

Kingdom:Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)

Order: Perciformes (Perch likes)

Family: Chaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes)

 

Genus/species: Hemitaurichthys polylepis

 

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Brown to black head and a large white pyramid-shaped area on its side. Scales

pearlescent. The dorsal and anal fins are yellow; caudal fin white. Max. length: 18 cm (7 in).

 

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Eastern Indian, Western and Central Pacific Oceans. Among outer coral reefs usually close to drop offs, at depths 3–60 m (9-180 ft).

 

DIET IN THE WILD: Planktivores that aggregate in the water column. Unlike many other butterflyfishes, this species does not feed on coral polyps, so is considered a good choice for aquaria with live corals.

 

REPRODUCTION: Oviparous. Form pairs during breeding.

 

REMARKS: Occur in large schools that feed several meters above the edges of steep outer reef slopes.

 

Philippine Coral Reef PR04

 

References:

 

flickr www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/sets/72157625119200613/

 

Wordpress Shortlink wp.me/p1DZ4b-Gv

 

Australianmuseum australianmuseum.net.au/Pyramid-Butterflyfish-Hemitaurich...

 

fishbase: fishbase.org/summary/Hemitaurichthys-polylepis.html

 

 

Taken on March 3, 2009, 1-10-13, 2-12-14

Done