Is the Raccoon Butterflyfish reef safe?

No. The Raccoon Butterflyfish is an opportunistic omnivore that naturally grazes on coral polyps and anemones in the wild. It will likely decimate fleshy corals, zoanthids, and clams in a reef aquarium.

Will a Raccoon Butterflyfish eat Aiptasia anemones?

Yes, many individuals will consume Aiptasia and Majano anemones. However, they are not entirely reliable for this purpose, and because they are not reef-safe, they cannot be used for pest control in coral-dominated tanks.

How do I get my new Raccoon Butterflyfish to eat?

Butterflyfish can be finicky during acclimatisation. Offering a freshly opened clam on a half-shell, live brine shrimp, or mysis shrimp soaked in garlic extract often stimulates their feeding response.

Can I keep two Raccoon Butterflyfish together?

It is generally not recommended unless they are a confirmed, established mated pair. Two unrelated individuals will frequently fight, sometimes to the death, in the confines of a home aquarium.

What size tank does a Raccoon Butterflyfish need?

An adult Raccoon Butterflyfish needs a minimum aquarium volume of 450 litres (roughly 100 UK gallons). They are active swimmers and require ample open space as well as extensive live rock for grazing and hiding.

MarineMarineIntermediate

Raccoon Butterflyfish

Chaetodon lunula

A striking and relatively hardy marine species, the Raccoon Butterflyfish is renowned for its distinctive mask and vibrant yellow colouration, though it requires a mature FOWLR setup due to its natural appetite for corals.

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Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 22 – 26 °C
pH range: 8.1 – 8.4
Hardness: 8 – 12 dGH
Salinity: 1.02 – 1.025 SG
Adult size: 18 – 21 cm
Minimum for an adult: 450 litres+
Lifespan: 5 – 8 years
Diet: Omnivore with a strong preference for meaty foods and benthic invertebrates.
Water flow: Moderate to high
Preferred setup: Fish-only with live rock (FOWLR). Requires ample open swimming space combined with caves and crevices for security.

About the Raccoon Butterflyfish

The Raccoon Butterflyfish is one of the most recognisable members of the Chaetodontidae family, instantly identifiable by the dark mask across its eyes. It is considered one of the hardier butterflyfish available to aquarists, making it a popular choice for large marine aquariums. While it transitions to captive life better than many of its obligate corallivore cousins, it still requires pristine water quality and plenty of swimming room.

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Where Raccoon Butterflyfish comes from

Native range

Indo-Pacific

Countries / regions

Australia, Indonesia, Philippines, United States (Hawaii), South Africa

Habitat

Seaward reefs and shallow reef flats; juveniles often inhabit tide pools while adults favour areas with rich coral growth.

Widespread across the Indo-Pacific, spanning from East Africa to Hawaii, and north to southern Japan.

Similar species

Copperband Butterflyfish
Chelmon rostratus
Threadfin Butterflyfish
Chaetodon auriga
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Chaetodon ephippium

We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.

Compatible tank mates

Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.

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Yellow Tang
Zebrasoma flavescens
Active, similarly sized herbivores that will not compete for the same food sources or territory.
Great
Flame Angelfish
Centropyge loricula
Dwarf angelfish share similar environmental needs and typically ignore butterflyfish in large aquariums.
Great
Other Butterflyfish
Conspecifics and closely related species will often fight for territory unless the aquarium is exceptionally large or they are a confirmed pair.
Compatible with caution
Large Polyp Stony (LPS) Corals
The Raccoon Butterflyfish is a notorious corallivore that will rapidly decimate fleshy corals, zoanthids, and anemones.
Not recommended
Tridacna Clams
Tridacna spp.
They are highly likely to nip at the exposed fleshy mantles of clams, causing the clam to close up and eventually perish.
Not recommended

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