Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: No
General Description: The Raccoon Butterflyfish, also known as the Crescent-masked Butterflyfish, Lunule Butterflyfish, Halfmoon Butterflyfish, Moon Butterflyfish, and Red Striped Butterflyfish, is native to the Indian and Pacific oceans. The species ranges from East Africa to the Hawaiian and Marquesan islands, north to southern Japan and in the southeast Atlantic in waters around South Africa. They have a yellow-orange body and an oval outline, with a pattern of ascending oblique reddish stripes on the flanks and black and white bands over the face and eyes. They have a black spot on the base of the tail and oblique yellow stripes behind the head. Adults can reach up to 8 inches in length.
Diet Requirements: This Butterflyfish is naturally an omnivore, primarily preying upon benthic invertebrates such as coral, mussels, and crustaceans. It is ideal to provide a balanced diet of both meaty items such as chopped fish, crustaceans, mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp and algae, such as Spirulina, Chlorella, and marine sheet algae.
Care Requirements: The Raccoon Butterflyfish is a peaceful fish that may be kept in a minimum 125 gallon or larger aquarium with other butterflyfish, including members of its own species, if they were introduced to the tank at the same time. A fish only or fish only with live rock setup is best since the Racoon Butterflyfish is not reef safe and may nip at coral polyps and small invertebrates. Recommended water conditions, 72-78° F, KH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025.
Purchase 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”
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Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase size is approximate.Â
