Butterflyfish – Raccoon

Introduction: The Raccoon Butterflyfish, also known simply as the Raccoon Fish, is an enchanting marine species well-loved for its distinctive coloration and pattern. This butterflyfish sports a striking black “mask” over its eyes, much like a raccoon, with bands of white, yellow, and orange adorning its body. Native to the Indo-Pacific region, particularly around coral reefs, the Raccoon Butterflyfish brings an exotic flair to marine aquariums.

Scientific Name: Chaetodon lunula, commonly referred to as the Raccoon Butterflyfish.

Water Quality and Temperature:

• Temperature: Keep water temperature between 72°F to 78°F (22°C to 26°C), replicating the tropical waters they inhabit.
• pH Level: A pH level of 8.1 to 8.4 is ideal, reflecting the slightly alkaline conditions of coral reefs.
• Salinity: Maintain a specific gravity of 1.020 to 1.025 to support their health.
• KH Level: Aim for a carbonate hardness (KH) range of 8 to 12 dKH to ensure stable water quality.

Feeding:

• Variety of Meats: Raccoon Butterflyfish are omnivorous but lean towards a carnivorous diet. Offer mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and finely chopped seafood.
• Algae and Vegetable Matter: Provide algae-based foods, like spirulina or marine algae sheets, to mimic the natural grazing they would do on a reef.
• Prepared Foods: High-quality marine pellets and flakes designed for butterflyfish can be added for a balanced diet.

Tank Mates: Raccoon Butterflyfish are generally peaceful but may display territorial behavior toward other butterflyfish or similarly sized tank mates. They are best kept with other peaceful fish, including wrasses, tangs, and angelfish. Avoid housing them with aggressive or fin-nipping species that may stress them. A larger tank allows plenty of swimming space and reduces territorial disputes.

Substrates and Tank Decorations: A sandy substrate is ideal, paired with ample live rock structures. These rock formations provide crevices and caves for the Raccoon Butterflyfish to explore, hide, and graze upon. Such a setup closely resembles their natural reef environment, promoting both physical health and mental enrichment.

Suitable Plants: Though they do not interact directly with plants, including live rock with coral or macroalgae enhances the tank’s aesthetics and offers natural grazing spots for the butterflyfish.

Sexing: Sexing Raccoon Butterflyfish is challenging as there are no distinct visual differences between males and females. Both sexes exhibit the same color pattern and size.

Breeding: Breeding Raccoon Butterflyfish in captivity is rare and challenging due to their specific environmental needs and open-water spawning behavior. They require stable, high-quality water conditions and a large tank that allows for free swimming. In the wild, these fish are known to pair off and release eggs into open waters, which makes replicating their breeding conditions in an aquarium quite complex.

Maximum Size and Longevity: Raccoon Butterflyfish can grow up to 8 inches (20 cm) in length and live for 5 to 7 years in captivity when provided with optimal care and conditions.

General Information: Known for its beauty and unique mask-like pattern, the Raccoon Butterflyfish adds a vibrant presence to marine aquariums. Although not ideal for beginner hobbyists due to its specific dietary and environmental needs, this butterflyfish can thrive in a well-maintained setup with careful feeding and water management.

A Fun Fact: The Raccoon Butterflyfish gets its name from the dark band over its eyes, which serves a protective function in the wild. This “mask” confuses potential predators, making it harder to identify the fish’s head and giving it a better chance to escape!