The Yellow Pyramid Butterflyfish (Hemitaurichthys polylepis), is also known as the Yellow Zoster Butterflyfish, and is an amazing schooling fish among the reefs of the Indian Ocean. The Yellow Pyramid Butterflyfish has specific needs in terms of tank size, diet, water quality, and behavior management. Here's a guide:
1. Tank Size:
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Minimum Size: 100 gallons (380 liters) or larger is recommended, as Pyramid Butterflyfish are active swimmers and need plenty of space.
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Group Size: They prefer being in groups, so a larger tank is necessary if you plan to keep a few.
2. Water Parameters:
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Temperature: 72°F – 78°F (22°C – 26°C)
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pH: 8.1 – 8.4
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Specific Gravity: 1.020 – 1.025
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Ammonia/Nitrite/Nitrate: Keep ammonia and nitrite at 0 ppm, and nitrates below 10 ppm.
3. Diet:
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Omnivorous: In the wild, they primarily feed on plankton. In captivity, provide a diet of frozen foods like mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and high-quality marine pellets or flakes. They also benefit from occasional vegetable matter like spirulina and seaweed.
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Feeding Frequency: Feed them small amounts 2-3 times per day.
4. Tank Mates:
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Peaceful Nature: They are relatively peaceful and do well with other non-aggressive fish. Avoid keeping them with overly territorial or aggressive species.
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Reef Compatibility: Generally considered reef-safe as they don’t tend to nip at corals or sessile invertebrates, making them suitable for mixed reef tanks.
5. Behavior:
- They are schooling fish and will do best in groups, though a single specimen can also thrive if kept in a peaceful community tank.
- They are typically non-territorial and peaceful but can be shy at first, requiring places to hide until they adjust to the environment.
6. Health and Disease Prevention:
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Stable Water Quality: Like most marine fish, Pyramid Butterflyfish are susceptible to stress if water quality fluctuates. Regular water changes and a good filtration system are essential.
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Quarantine New Fish: To prevent disease introduction, it's a good idea to quarantine any new fish before adding them to the display tank.
This species is fairly hardy for butterflyfish but can be sensitive to changes in water quality and should be introduced to a mature and stable aquarium.
