Pyramid butterflyfish size: how big does it get?

Adults reach about 16 cm. The largest on record measured 18 cm (total length). Record sizes among the 51 Chaetodontidae species on LumaReef: 12 cm (Spotted Butterflyfish) to 30 cm (Saddle Butterflyfish).

Pyramid butterflyfish tank size: what is the minimum?

A tank at least 180 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Living room tank or larger.

Pyramid butterflyfish water parameters: what does it need?

Temperature 23–27 °C, pH 7.8–8.5. Close to what most Chaetodontidae on LumaReef need (23–27 °C).

Pyramid butterflyfish tank mates: what can it live with?

It gets along with 72 of the 99 reef species in the catalogue, such as Copperband butterflyfish, Longnose butterflyfish, and Kole tang.

Pyramid butterflyfish depth: how deep does it live?

In the wild, 0 to 60 m down. Close to most Chaetodontidae on LumaReef (1–40 m).

ReefIn the market600 coinsUncommon

Pyramid butterflyfish

Hemitaurichthys polylepis

The reef-safe one of the family, taking plankton instead of polyps.

The Pyramid butterflyfish (Hemitaurichthys polylepis) is a tropical marine fish of the family Chaetodontidae. It lives on and around reefs, between 0 and 60 m deep. Adults grow to about 16 cm; the largest on record measured 18 cm (total length). In the aquarium it needs a tank at least 180 cm long and water at 23–27 °C.

Size: 16 cm
Smallest tank: 180 cm
Temperature: 23–27 °C
Care: Moderate

In the aquarium

Temperature23–27 °C

pH7.8–8.5

Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Carnivore
Activity: Busy
Water layer: Mid water
Group: Happiest in a group of 3 or more
Coral: Reef safe

These values are compiled from real species data, and the LumaReef simulation is built to keep them true to life.

Which tank it fits

Nano60 cm · 65 litresToo small
Standard90 cm · 180 litresToo small
Wide120 cm · 300 litresToo small
Living room180 cm · 650 litres27 of them
Showcase250 cm · 1,200 litres50 of them
Gallery300 cm · 1,440 litres60 of them

Who it lives with

Gets along72 species

and 48 more species

Caution18 species

Crowding the same layer

Narrow shared temperature range

Lined seahorse

Not together9 species

Aggressive with peaceful

In the wild

Water type: Marine
Climate zone: Tropical
Habitat: Coral and rocky reefs
Largest on record: 18 cmtotal length
Aquarium trade: Traded commercially

Depth

surface

0 m60 m

Conservation status

Classification

OrderAcanthuriformes
FamilyChaetodontidae
GenusHemitaurichthys
SpeciesHemitaurichthys polylepis
Described byBleeker, 1857

In other languages

German: Gelber Pyramidenfalterfisch
Spanish: Pez mariposa pirámide
French: Poisson-papillon pyramide
Italian: Pesce farfalla piramidale
Russian: Осторожный гемитаурихт
Japanese: カスミチョウチョウウオ
Chinese: 多鱗霞蝶魚

Quick answers

Pyramid butterflyfish size: how big does it get?: Adults reach about 16 cm. The largest on record measured 18 cm (total length). Record sizes among the 51 Chaetodontidae species on LumaReef: 12 cm (Spotted Butterflyfish) to 30 cm (Saddle Butterflyfish).
Pyramid butterflyfish tank size: what is the minimum?: A tank at least 180 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Living room tank or larger.
Pyramid butterflyfish water parameters: what does it need?: Temperature 23–27 °C, pH 7.8–8.5. Close to what most Chaetodontidae on LumaReef need (23–27 °C).
Pyramid butterflyfish tank mates: what can it live with?: It gets along with 72 of the 99 reef species in the catalogue, such as Copperband butterflyfish, Longnose butterflyfish, and Kole tang.
Pyramid butterflyfish: alone or in a group?: Keep at least 3 together.
Pyramid butterflyfish and corals: is it reef safe?: Yes, it leaves corals alone.
Pyramid butterflyfish depth: how deep does it live?: In the wild, 0 to 60 m down. Close to most Chaetodontidae on LumaReef (1–40 m).