General information –  The Raccoon Butterfly is a hardy fish that

found mostly in the Indo-Pacific region. It also found in big numbers

in the Red Sea. It called Raccoon Butterfly due to the dark mask which

found on its eyes. At night, when frightened or in high levels of stress

the Raccoon butterfly body turns darker in color. The Raccoon butterfly

is not safe with most corals, invertebrates, crustaceans and shrimps

are in danger too, so keep this fish out of reef tanks. The raccoon

butterfly fish or by its scientific name Chaetodon lunula is sensitive to

the saltwater ich. In the wild it is primarily nocturnal but in captivity the

raccoon butterfly is diurnal also.  

Common Name – Raccoon Butterfly, Cresent-Masked Butterflyfish,

Lunula Butterflyfish, Red Striped Butterfly Fish 

Scientific Name - Chaetodon lunula 

Family - Chaetodontidae 

Origin - Indo-Pacific, Indian Ocean and the Red Sea 

Size - 8 inches (20 cm)

First discovered - Lacepede 1803 

Nutrition – carnivore. New arrivals may require live offerings initially, mysis, brine shrimp, crustaceans

and Tubifex. After wile the raccoon butterfly fish can be trained to eat commercial food.    

Behavior – peaceful but can be aggressive to other butterfly fish. 

Maintenance and care – Requires 80 gallon tank size with plenty of places to hide and swim. 

The raccoon butterfly fish need highly oxygenated water and  should be kept with peaceful tankmates

and can be aggressive to other butterfly fish. In nature, this species feeds on a wide-range of

invertebrates so be caution. 

Water Parameters – Temperature: 74F - 80F (22°C - 27°C), PH: 8.1 – 8.4, Specific gravity: 1.020-1.026 

Breeding - known to be an egg-scatterer but yet breed in captivity.