Raccoon Butterflyfish
Chaetodon lunula
Chaetodon lunula has a yellow-orange body with vertical black bands. A broad black band crosses the eye, resembling a raccoon mask. The dorsal fin is edged in black. It is active and curious, often swimming in groups in the wild. In an aquarium, it adapts well and accepts a wide variety of foods. It can be kept with other peaceful fish. It tends to nip at corals and invertebrates, so not recommended for reefs. Its lifespan can reach 10 years in captivity.
Recommended parameters
| Parameter | Recommended range |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 24–28 |
| pH | 8.1–8.4 |
| GH | 8–12 |
| KH | 7–12 |
| NO₃ | ≤ 20 |
| PO₄ | ≤ 0.1 |
Care
Care notes
An aquarium of at least 300 liters is necessary. Water parameters must be stable: temperature 24-28°C, pH 8.1-8.4. It is omnivorous and accepts frozen, dry, and live foods. Variety in diet is important. It can be kept in groups if the tank is large enough. Avoid aggressive fish. It is sensitive to water quality; efficient filtration is required. Captive breeding is rare.