Hemitaurichthys polylepis (Bleeker, 1857)
Pyramid butterflyfish
Hemitaurichthys polylepis
photo by Patzner, R.

 Family:  Chaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes)
 Max. size:  18 cm TL (male/unsexed)
 Environment:  reef-associated; depth range 3 - 60 m
 Distribution:  Pacific Ocean: Christmas Island in the eastern Indian Ocean to Indonesia and the Hawaiian, Line, and Pitcairn islands, north to southern Japan, south to Rowley Shoals and New Caledonia. Replaced by Hemitaurichthys zoster in the Indian Ocean (Ref. 37816).
 Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 23-26; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 19-21. Description: Readily identified by unusual coloration (Ref. 48636). Snout length 2.6-2.8 in HL. Body depth 1.5-1.6 in SL (Ref. 90102).
 Biology:  Occur in large schools that may extend several meters above the edges of steep current-swept outer reef slopes. Common (Ref. 9710). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Feed on plankton (Ref. 3921). Oviparous (Ref. 205). Form pairs during breeding (Ref. 205).
 IUCN Red List Status:   (Ref. 96402)
 Threat to humans:  harmless
 Country info:   
 

 Entered by: Capuli, Estelita Emily - 05.06.92
 Modified by: OrtaƱez, Auda Kareen - 19.04.13
 Checked by: Agustin, Liza Q. - 12.08.94

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Page created by Jen, 05.08.02, php script by kbanasihan 06/09/2010 ,  last modified by dsantos, 20/08/10