Pyramid Butterflyfish - Philippines

Hemitaurichthys polylepis
The Pyramid Butterflyfish is fairly hardy and adapts well to life in an aquarium if acclimated properly. Most butterflies in this genus can be added in a group. They won't do well with fish that are overly aggressive, but they may nip at fish that are very timid. Initially, the Pyramid Butterflyfish can be shy, so its ideal to ensure there are plenty of hiding places to help them acclimate to their new surroundings. Unlike many butterflyfish, these fish feed on zooplankton, are reef-safe, and do not consume coral polyps, though underfeeding can lead to occasional nipping at soft corals like Xenia. They will benefit from multiple feedings per day, so be sure to provide a varied diet of frozen foods such as vitamin-enriched mysis and brine shrimp, along with high quality pellet food, supplemented with dried algae. A suitable tank size of at least 125 gallons, with ample live rock to offer hiding places is ideal. The Pyramid Butterflyfish can be kept singly, in pairs, or in small groups.