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Raccoon Butterflyfish
Chaetodon lunula
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Perciformes›Chaetodontidae
📍 Indo-Pacific & Eastern Pacific
Attractive butterfly named for the black mask across its face, bordered by white — like a raccoon. One of the hardier butterflyfish. Eats Aiptasia anemones. Not reef-safe; will nip at coral polyps.
Care Guide
Diet
Raccoon butterflyfish are omnivores that feed on small invertebrates, zooplankton, and algae in the wild. Offer a varied diet of high-quality marine flakes, small pellets, frozen mysis shrimp, and frozen brine shrimp once daily. Supplement with algae-based foods and occasional live copepods to encourage natural foraging behavior.
Behavior
A relatively peaceful and hardy butterflyfish that spends much of its time foraging mid-water and along rockwork. They are generally solitary or found in pairs in the wild, and can be territorial toward other butterflyfish but tolerate most other peaceful reef fish. Notable for their appetite for Aiptasia anemones, making them useful for pest control in some aquariums.
Breeding
Breeding raccoon butterflyfish in captivity is extremely rare and has not been reliably documented in home aquariums. They are pelagic spawners that require very large systems and specific environmental triggers. Hobbyists should not expect to breed this species and should source captive-bred or wild-caught specimens from reputable suppliers.
Tank Mates
Similar peaceful temperament and compatible water parameters; both thrive in established saltwater systems
Peaceful bottom-dweller that occupies different water zones; minimal competition
Small, peaceful fish that stays in lower water column; good community member
Beneficial symbiotic relationship; butterflyfish may benefit from cleaning services
Peaceful invertebrate that occupies different ecological niche; compatible salinity and temperature
Algae grazer that does not compete for food; helps maintain tank cleanliness
Common Diseases
Marine Ich (Cryptocaryon irritans)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, flashing against rocks, lethargy
Raise temperature gradually to 28-29°C, maintain excellent water quality, use copper-based treatments or hyposalinity therapy; quarantine infected fish if possible
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fin edges, discoloration at fin margins, progressive fin loss
Improve water quality and reduce stress; perform frequent water changes; use antibiotic treatments if bacterial infection is suspected
Head and Lateral Line Erosion (HLLE)
Pitting or erosion of head and lateral line, loss of scales, visible grooves on head
Improve diet with vitamin-enriched foods, frozen foods, and varied nutrition; ensure excellent water quality and stable parameters
Parasitic Infections
Excessive scratching, visible parasites, cloudy eyes, loss of appetite, abnormal swimming
Quarantine affected fish; use appropriate antiparasitic medications; maintain pristine water conditions and monitor tank mates
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Quick Facts
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- diet
- omnivore/invertebrates
- maxSize
- 8 inches
- salinity
- SG 1.020–1.025
- minTankSize
- 75 gallons
- temperature
- 73–81°F (23–27°C)
Temperature
73–81°F
23–27°C