About Hemitaurichthys zoster (Bennett, 1831)
The black pyramid butterflyfish, scientifically named Hemitaurichthys zoster (Bennett, 1831), is a small fish that can grow up to a maximum length of 18 centimeters. Its body is laterally compressed and has a rounded overall profile. Its snout is somewhat elongated, and it has a small, terminal, protractile mouth. The body is primarily black, with a broad white trapezoid band crossing its center. The upper edge of this band is yellow, which aligns with the center of the dorsal fin. Its caudal fin is white. Hemitaurichthys zoster is widely distributed across the tropical and subtropical waters of the Indian Ocean, ranging from the eastern coast of Africa to Java (Indonesia), and from India to Mauritius. It forms large schools on outer reef slopes, and the schools will move out into open water to feed on plankton. This species occurs at depths between 3 and 40 meters.
