Raccoon Butterflyfish (Chaetodon Lunula)

Species Name : Chaetodon Lunula

Care Level : Easy

Temperament : Peaceful

Color : Black, Orange, White, Yellow

Diet : Omnivore

Reef Compatible : No

Water Conditions : sg 1.020-1.025, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4

Max. Size : 8"

Origin : Africa, Fiji, Indonesia, Maldives, Tahiti

Family : Chaetodontidae

Minimum Tank Size : 125 gallons

The Raccoon Butterflyfish (Chaetodon Lunula), also known as the Crescent-Masked Butterflyfish, Lunule Butterflyfish, Halfmoon Butterflyfish, Moon Butterflyfish, Raccoon Coralfish, and Redstriped Butterflyfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish.

These large Butterflyfishes have an oval outline, with a pattern of ascending oblique reddish stripes on the flanks and black and white bands over the face and eyes, similar to the "raccoon" mask (hence the common name). They show a black spot on the caudal peduncle and oblique yellow stripes behind the head. Chaetodon lunula can reach a length of 20 cm (nearly 8 in).

The Raccoon Butterflyfish is a peaceful fish that may reside in a 125 gallon or larger fish-only aquarium with other butterflyfish. You will also need to provide plenty of rocks and places for them to hide in. They will swim out into the open space at the front of your tank when they feel safe and settled.

The Raccoon Butterflyfish is generally not aggressive towards other fish, with the exception of lionfish and triggerfish. It has been observed as a beneficial predator of Aiptasia and Majano sea anemones. They will eradicate this pesky pest within two to six weeks, depending on the anemone population and aquarium size. They are also not reef safe since they will nip at and eat soft corals and stony polyps as well as ornamental shrimp, tube worms and anemones.

The Racoon Butterflyfish is not a very fussy eater compared to the really pernickety members of the Butteflyfish group. Diet should include a variety of mysis and vitamin enriched brine shrimp, spirulina, nori, seaweed, marine algae, and algae based foods, 2-3 times daily. When first acquired, if it will not eat, it may be tempted with a small anemone. 

 Size: Small: 1-1/2" to 2-1/4"; Medium: 2-1/4" to 3 "; Medium/Large: 3" to 4"; Large: 4" to 5"; X large 5" to 6"