Raccoon Butterflyfish

Looks how to spot one

Compressed, oval reef butterflyfish

A golden-yellow body with a black mask across the eyes and a broad white band behind it, much like a raccoon's face. Slanting reddish stripes cross the flanks, yellow stripes run behind the head, and a black spot sits at the base of the tail.23

Personality what they are like

Peaceful and generally easygoing with other fish. It is most active around dusk and at night.321

Daily activity how busy a day looks

An active swimmer that likes open space and rockwork to search for food, and is largely nocturnal in the wild.12

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Rated easy care, but it is not a reef fish because it will eat corals and other invertebrates. Feed several small meals a day. A shy new arrival can be encouraged to eat by offering small anemones.32

Home where they are happiest

A tank of at least 125 US gallons (about 475 L). Saltwater at 22 to 26 °C (72 to 78 °F), pH 8.1 to 8.4, specific gravity 1.020 to 1.025. Wild adults live on shallow reef flats of lagoons and seaward reefs, while juveniles use rocky inner reef flats and tide pools.31

Food basics what goes in the bowl

An omnivore. Offer meaty foods such as mysis shrimp, crustacean flesh and frozen preparations several times a day. In the wild it eats nudibranchs, tubeworm tentacles, other small invertebrates, algae and coral polyps.31

Company who they like around

Usually seen in pairs or small groups. Pairs are monogamous when breeding.12

The story where it all began

French naturalist Bernard Germain de Lacépède described the species in 1802 as Pomacentrus lunula, from a specimen from the Indian Ocean. The name lunula refers to the crescent-shaped markings on its face.2

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN Red List

Least Concern (assessed 2009)1