Pyramid Butterflyfish (Hemitaurichthys polylepis)

The Pyramid Butterflyfish (Hemitaurichthys polylepis) is just one of the many different species of Butterflyfish. This saltwater fish gets its name from the white pyramid shape on its midsection. This fish's head starts out yellow while it is young, but will turn brown as it matures. These fish can grow up to 7 inches (18cm) in length, and are found on the outer edge of reef systems where they feed on plankton. These fish are also called Yellow Zoster Butterfly or Yellow Pyramid Butterflyfish.

Pyramid Butterflyfish are often seen in schools, and are found in the Western and Central Pacific Oceans, as well as the Eastern Indian Oceans. This fish can be kept in an aquarium, and is considered to be reef safe. They are easy to take care of, but require a large tank of at least 125 gallons. Like most other aquarium fish, providing them with plenty of hiding spaces is always a good idea to keep them happy.  You can view the Pyramid Butterflyfish in it's natural environment in the underwater footage below.


If you have any additional information or care tips for the Pyramid Butterflyfish please leave us a comment below.

Pearlscale Butterflyfish (Chaetodon xanthurus)

The Pearlscale Butterflyfish or Chaetodon xanthurus is one of the many different species of Butterflyfish in the Chaetodontidae family. This saltwater fish can be differentiate from other Butterflyfish by their large checkered scales and the black bar that runs across their eye. This fish is sometimes known as the Yellow-tailed Butterflyfish or the Philippines Chevron Butterflyfish.

Found in the Indo-Pacific, the Pearlscale Butterflyfish can grow to about 6" (150mm) in length and is quite the popular aquarium fish. They eat crustaceans, algae, coral polyps and all kinds of vegetable matter. Pearlscale Butterflyfish are generally considered to be a peaceful fish but sometimes don't get along with other Butterflyfish.  They should be kept in an aquarium of at least 50 gallons.  You can check out one in action in the video below...


If you have any additional information about the Pearlscale Butterflyfish please leave us a comment below.

Auriga Butterflyfish (Chaetodon auriga)

The Auriga Butterflyfish or Chaetodon auriga is one of the many beautiful species of Butterflyfish.  This fish, also called the Threadfin Butterflyfish, is one of the more popular species to house in an aquarium.  Just one of the many species in the Chaetodontidae family, this saltwater fish is considered to be very hardy and easy to take care with the proper conditions.  Providing this fish with lots of hiding spots and the follow water conditions will keep it happy and healthy, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.2-8.4 and sg 1.021-1.023.

The Auriga Butterflyfish has the typical Butterflyfish shape with a thin body that is somewhat squared off and a tiny pointed mouth.  They have a colorful arrangement of yellows, whites and blacks including a false eyespot on their dorsal fin that keeps potential predators confused about which end is which.  The false eyespot is not always a part of their body depending on what part of the world they are located.  You can have a look at the Threadfin Butterflyfish in the video below...

Auriga Butterflyfish are omnivores that should be fed a variety of foods including flake food and plankton.  If cared for properly these fish can reach lengths of about 8", so a tank of 60 gallons or more is highly recommended.

In the wild these fish are found in shallow waters of up to 30 meters in the Indo-Pacific and Red Sea in places like Japan, Hawaii and South Africa to name a few.  

African Butterfly Fish (Pantodon buchholzi)

The African Butterfly Fish or Pantodon buchholzi is an odd looking freshwater fish that is found in many lakes in Africa. As you can see, this fish has a series of strange fins that look like bird's wings, a lot like the Flying Fish of the ocean. African Butterflyfish are speckled with a dark black or brown body. They are not very large only growing to about 4" in maximum length.
This fish's strange appearance makes it popular in the world of aquatic pets. They only require an aquarium of about 40 gallons with the following water conditions, 75-86° F, KH 1-10 and pH 6.9-7.1. Be sure you provide them with plenty of plants to hide in and a tight lid to keep them from jumping to their deaths. In the wild, you will often see these fish toward the surface awaiting their prey to swim by or an insect to fall onto the surface. In an aquarium they are almost always found near the surface as well and should be fed brine shrimp, small fish, insects and other freeze-dried foods. You can check out the African Butterfly Fish in the video below...

Breeding the African Butterfly fish is quite possible. To increase the chances, lower the water in the aquarium for a couple weeks. When you go to refill it, use soft acidic water. After the two mate their eggs will turn dark and float to the surface. It is important to take the eggs out of the aquarium and place them in a birthing tank. After about two days the fry will hatch and they should be fed baby brine shrimp and daphnia.

Copperband Butterflyfish (Chelmon rostratus)

The Copperband Butterflyfish or Chelmon rostratus is just one of the over 120 different species of Butterflyfish in the world. This particular species is found in the Indian Ocean, and can be differentiated from the others by its false eyespot on the rear dorsal fin, and by its long slender nose and mouth which it uses to find food in tight spots. They also have orange vertical stripes that run through their white bodies, and can grow to about 8" in maximum length. You can check out the Copperband Butterflyfish underwater in the video below...

Copperband Butterflyfish go by a couple other names including the Beaked Butterflyfish, Beaked Coralfish, and the Orange Stripe Butterfly. Although this saltwater fish is kept in an aquarium, it is not the easiest fish to care for. A large reef aquarium or community tank of 60 gallons or more is recommended with the following water conditions, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4 and sg 1.020-1.025. One big bonus of housing the Copperband Butterflyfish in your tank is the fact that they can control aiptasia or glass anemones. These fish are carnivores that need a variety of meaty foods including brine shrimp and mysis shrimp an clams to keep it happy and healthy. Once established the Copperband Butterflyfish can live about 4 years.Copperband Butterflyfish should not be kept with other Butteflyfish, but can be kept with most other peaceful saltwater fish.

Raccoon Butterflyfish (Chaetodon lunula)

The Raccoon Butterflyfish or Chaetodon lunula has the amazing ability to turn its colors darker and take on a blotchy appearance to blend in to its surrounding at night or when threatened. Also known as the Crescent-masked Butterflyfish or the Lunule Butterflyfish this species of Butterflyfish from the Chaetodontidae family can grow up to 8" (20 cm) in length.

The Raccoon Butterflyfish is just one of the over 100 different species of Butterflyfish and are often found in the warm waters of the Indo-Pacific region around shallow reefs. Raccoon Butterflyfish are nocturnal and often found in pairs or small groups, apparently they get lonely very easily! They feed on nudibranchs, tubeworm tentacles, and other benthic invertebrates, algae and coral polyps. They can be fed flake food in an aquarium setting. Although not considered to be an extremely aggressive fish they should not be put into a tank with Lionfish or Triggerfish and they do not get along.

These saltwater fish are sometimes kept as pets in an aquarium setting (at least 70 gallons) where they can live up to 8 years! A lot of aquarium owners use this fish to get rid of Aiptasia and Majano sea anemones pests. They normally eliminate them in under a month!

If you have any tips or other facts about the Raccoon Butterflyfish please leave them below in the comments...

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