Pyramid Butterflyfish

Hemitaurichthys polylepis

Pyramid Butterflyfish (Hemitaurichthys polylepis) is a reef butterflyfish that forms schools above steep outer reef slopes and drop-offs. It feeds mainly on plankton in the water column and is more often seen than targeted by anglers.

Saltwater

Pyramid Butterflyfish reference image — Rickard Zerpe, cc-by, via Wikimedia Commons. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Identification points

Pale white body with a bold black vertical band through the eye
Large black triangular patch on the rear half of the body, forming a pyramid-like pattern
Yellow dorsal and caudal fins with an overall high-backed butterflyfish shape

Habitat

Clear tropical coral-reef environments, especially outer reef slopes, drop-offs, and surge-exposed reef faces where plankton is carried in the current; typically schools well above the bottom.

Bait notes

Not a standard sport target. If attempted for aquarium capture or observation-style collecting, small planktonic offerings such as mysis, finely chopped shrimp, or tiny marine pellets are the most relevant foods; it rarely responds to typical angling baits.

Behavior

A diurnal planktivore that swims in loose to dense schools and picks suspended zooplankton from the water column. It is reef-oriented, wary, and not a typical lure-chasing gamefish.

Caution

Coral-reef species; avoid damaging live coral while handling or attempting capture. Not generally known as a food fish, so consumption guidance is limited; follow local reef-collection regulations and protected-area rules.

Fishing notes

No practical recreational fishery exists for this species. It is best encountered by reef divers or collectors rather than anglers; avoid hook-and-line targeting on coral reefs because the fish is small, schooling, and easily stressed.