Raccoon Butterflyfish
Chaetodon lunula
Raccoon Butterflyfish (Chaetodon lunula) is a reef-dwelling marine butterflyfish with a dark facial mask and yellow body. It is not a target game fish; it is valued mainly for aquarium display rather than angling.
Identification points
- Black mask across the eye and snout with a pale eye stripe
- Bright yellow body with a prominent dark posterior saddle/blotch
- Rounded butterflyfish profile with a long dorsal and anal fin trailing edge
Habitat
Coral and rocky reefs, lagoons, and seaward reef slopes, usually in shallow tropical Indo-Pacific waters; often around coral heads and rich reef structure.
Bait notes
Not a typical angling species and rarely targeted. In captivity it is fed small meaty marine foods; in the wild it is not normally taken on hooks, but tiny marine baits or planktonic imitations are the closest match.
Behavior
Diurnal reef forager that picks at coral polyps, small invertebrates, and benthic prey. Usually seen singly or in pairs and often stays close to cover.
Caution
Reef fish handling can damage delicate fins and stress the fish; local collection may be regulated for aquarium trade. Consumption guidance is limited, and reef-fish ciguatera risk may apply in some tropical areas.
Fishing notes
No practical sport-fishing method; avoid targeting this ornamental reef fish. If observed while fishing reefs, release immediately and minimize handling.