Pyramid butterflyfish
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Chaetodontidae
Genus: Hemitaurichthys
Species:
H. polylepis
Binomial name
Hemitaurichthys polylepis
(Bleeker, 1857)
Synonyms[2]
  • Chaetodon polylepis Bleeker, 1857

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.[3]

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.[4]

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.[5] The anal fin is also yellow-orange.[4]

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. [1] [6]

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.[7]

Biology

The pyramid butterflyfish lives in large schools, and feeds on plankton in open water out of its shelter reef.[8]

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.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 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.
  2. ↑ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2019). "Hemitaurichthys polylepis" in FishBase. December 2019 version.
  3. ↑ Lieske & Myers,Coral reef fishes,Princeton University Press, 2009, ISBN 9780691089959
  4. 1 2 Mark McGrouther (30 August 2019). "Pyramid Butterflyfish, Hemitaurichthys polylepis (Bleeker, 1857)". Australian Museum. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  5. ↑ Ricardo Pinto (2011). "Underrated fish – Pyramid Butterflyfish (Hemitaurichthys polylepis)". reef.com. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  6. ↑ 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.
  7. ↑ 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.
  8. ↑ Randall, J.E., 1985. Guide to Hawaiian reef fishes. Harrowood Books, Newtown Square, PA 19073, USA. 74 p.
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