Raccoon butterflies in Moorea ate a variety of benthic prey, including polychaetes, scleractinians (hard corals), hydroids, gastropods and mollusc eggs (Harmelin-Vivien 1989). In this picture, a couple encountered in Kahalu’u Bay, Hawaii.. Also known as the Raccoon Fasciatus Butterflyfish. In Moorea (French Polynesia), the raccoon butterflyfish was found to be ubiquitous and distributed regularly across the reef, including the fringing reef and the deeper outer slope (Bouchon-Navaro 1981). The absence of data does not equate to lack of effects. They can be kept with other varieties of butterfly fish in a community tank. The section is now dynamically updated from the NAS database to ensure that it contains the most current and accurate information. The Tinker’s butterflyfish, Chaetodon tinkeri, is one of the most distinctive butterflyfishes in Hawaiian waters, with a gold mask over the eye and dramatic diagonal blocks of black and white on the body.Named for Spencer Tinker, the Waikīkī Aquarium’s second Director, serving from 1940 to 1973. Interestingly, when Butterflyfish settle into their reefs for the night, their coloring will dim significantly in order to avoid detection by predators. ... at the top of their heads and the base of their tails. [2] These large butterflyfishes have an oval outline, with a pattern of ascending oblique reddish stripes on the flanks and black and white bands over the face and eyes, similar to the "raccoon" mask (hence the common name). These masklike markings may protect them by mimicking the eyes of their predator’s predator or diverting attacks away from the butterfly’s head. The raccoon butterflyfish is generally not aggressive toward other fish, except the lionfish and triggerfish. This species can be found throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific region — … Featured Creatures – Raccoon Butterflyfish, Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse, Yellowfin Goatfish, Convict Tang, Achilles Tang, Bluefin Trevally Fun Fact: Raccoon Butterflyfish pair for life. It has been observed as a beneficial predator of Aiptasia and Majano sea anemones. The raccoon butterflyfish is generally not aggressive toward other fish, except their not big fans of lionfish and triggerfish. It should not be kept in a reef tank since it will eat invertebrates and is deemed unsafe with corals. (1996), Pyle (2001), Robertson et al. Micronesian Reef Fishes. Filefish: The bristletail filefish is the only filefish known to eat aiptasia. Marine Ecology Progress Series 266: 239-244. Chaetodontids have a single, continuous dorsal fin and a scaly axillary process at the upper base of the pelvic fins. A few species like the Raccoon Butterflyfish, Copper-banded Butterflyfish, and Merten's Butterflyfish are an exception. From Randall et al. FAO species identification guide for fishery purposes. For queries involving fish, please contact Matthew Neilson. Raccoon Butterflyfish - Aiptasia killer!!! Dorsal fin XI-XIII (22-25), anal fin III (17-19). For queries involving invertebrates, contact Amy Benson. Updated August 5, 2019 Author: Mike - FishLore Admin Social Media:. When those two show up, the raccoon butterfly can get feisty and territorial. Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF). The raccoon butterflyfish is an omnivore and may occur as single individuals, pairs or small groups (Hourigan 1989). Happily for the world of marine aquarists, Red Sea livestock is becoming much more available in terms of numbers to be had. It is found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Environmental Biology of Fishes 25: 61-78. There is a black blotch at the caudal peduncle. Except in the red-tailed butterflyfish, there is at least a vestigial form of the "raccoon" mask, with a white space between the dark crown and eye areas. In the wild this fish is primarily nocturnal, meaning that it is most active at night.Provide plenty of hiding places to help make your Raccoon Butterfly feel secure. The duration of the pelagic stage is unknown specifically for the raccoon butterflyfish. Gainesville, Florida. Thread starter ecam; Start date Oct 3, 2017; Tagged users None Oct 3, 2017 #1 E. ecam Active Member View Badges. Not safe with most corals, desirable invertebrates, as well as crustaceans that are not well-armored for protection against predation. References to specimens that were not obtained through sighting reports and personal communications are found through the hyperlink in the Table 1 caption or through the individual specimens linked in the collections tables. Most chaetodontids are identified by their distinctive colour patterns (see photo above). 2004. A field guide for divers and aquarists. (2019). 2 Although the coloration of this group varies greatly, they are all largish butterflyfishes with an oval outline, and most have a pattern of ascending oblique stripes on the flanks. One of them is the Raccoon Butterflyfish, Chaetodon lunula. 2008. [3] It belongs to the large subgenus Rabdophorus which might warrant recognition as a distinct genus. In captivity, the typical lifespan of a raccoon butterflyfish is five to seven years. Red Sea Raccoon Butterflyfish. Semmens, B. X., E. R. Buhle, A. K. Salomon and C. V. Pattengill-Semmens. The Raccoon Butterfly fish is one of the hardier of the butterfly species. Family Chaetodontidae Members of the Family Chaetodontidae (i.e., butterflyfishes) typically are oval-shaped, deep-bodied and highly compressed. The Red Sea raccoon butterfly is so named for its restricted distribution, found only in the Red Sea and the adjoining Gulf of Aden. This species grows to a length of up to almost 8 inches (20 cm). Environmental Biology of Fishes 25: 87-100. However, Watanabe (1946 in Leis 1989) documented that larvae measured <15.5 mm at settlement. They show a black spot on the caudal peduncle and oblique yellow stripes behind the head. Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. Joined Jul 19, 2012 Messages 496 Reaction score 188 Location 08857. Butterflyfishes are probably most similar in appearance to angelfishes (family Pomacanthidae), but can easily be distinguished from them. - Nature Picture Library racoon butterflyfish The dorsal, caudal and anal fins are edged in black. The raccoon butterflyfish, Chaetodon lunula, is one of the most recognized butterflyfishes in Hawaiian waters. 3. 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