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Little Shop of Coral

Raccoon Butterflyfish (Chaetodon lunula)

Raccoon Butterflyfish (Chaetodon lunula)

$70.00 CAD
$70.00 CAD
Sale Sold out

The Raccoon Butterflyfish is a bold, high-contrast butterfly with the classic “masked” face pattern and strong yellow accents. It is a hardy species for a butterflyfish and a great choice for fish-only or larger community marine systems. It is not considered reef safe, but in the right setup it is an active, eye-catching swimmer with tons of presence.

Why we love it

  • Iconic masked face and high-contrast pattern

  • One of the hardier butterflyfish species in aquariums

  • Active, always-moving display fish for larger systems

Suggested parameters

  • Temperature: 24–26°C (75–79°F)

  • Salinity: 1.024–1.026 SG

  • pH: 8.1–8.4

  • Alkalinity: 8–10 dKH

  • Ammonia/Nitrite: 0

  • Nitrate: Under 20 ppm (stable is best)

Care and temperament

  • Difficulty: Moderate

  • Temperament: Peaceful to semi-aggressive

  • Reef safe: No (may nip at corals, polyps, and some sessile inverts)

  • Minimum tank size: 125 gallons recommended (larger is better for long-term swimming room)

Diet

Raccoon butterflies do best with a varied diet and regular feeding.

  • Frozen mysis and brine shrimp

  • Chopped clam, mussel, and seafood blends

  • High-quality pellets once established

  • Feed small amounts 1 to 2 times per day

Compatibility and tankmates

  • Generally peaceful with most medium to larger community fish

  • Avoid aggressive bullies that may stress it

  • Can be kept with other butterflies in very large tanks, but introduce carefully

  • Provide open swimming space plus rockwork for shelter

What you are buying

  • You will receive: 1 Raccoon Butterflyfish (Chaetodon lunula)

  • Colour, pattern, and size can vary between individuals

As with all fish, slow acclimation is recommended, and quarantine is encouraged when possible.

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LIGHT

LOW: Place coral at the bottom of the tank. Depending on the type, coral may need to be placed off sand and therefore mounted on a ceramic disc of piece of rock.

MEDIUM: Place coral at mid-range of the tank. Best placed/glued on top of a rock scape at mid-range height. 

HIGH: Place coral from mid range to just below water level. SPS coral are shallow growing so they require and are able to tolerate intense light.

FLOW

LOW: Most soft coral do well with a small, gentle pulse. There are certain corals that can even be placed in areas of indirect flow, meaning places aside a rock structure or set into a entrance to a cave style space.

MEDIUM: Many LPS types of coral prefer medium pulse current. Most Euphyllia or corals that have more tissue structure connected to their skeleton, don’t like to be in a high flow area like the direct flow of the wave pump.

HIGH: Similar to high light, SPS enjoy being in some heavy current. Most LPS and SPS that branch encrust or plate prefer high flow that simulates the top water waves.

SKILL

ENTRY: While some may say beginner level, "Entry" is a good term to be used when starting out in the world of corals and marine life. Prior to adding livestock, you want to ensure that your reef has the proper parameters including zero levels of ammonia and nitrite. Seeing traces of nitrate in your waters is a good sign - just keep them at a lower level of 2ppm to 10ppm. Maintaining correct temperature and salinity are a huge factor to stable parameters. Starting to monitor your PH, alkalinity, calcium and magnesium is a great habit to get into to keep a successful reef.

While some soft coral don’t require too much light, having a proper reef light that puts out the proper pars is very important. You'll also want to have a good amount of flow and protected rock areas, as placing corals in their happy spot is ideal for success.

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