Red
Sea Racoon Butterfly
Red Sea,
Chaetodon lunula
Identification:
This rare
species is known only from the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. It differs
from its cousin the "regular" Raccoon Butterfly in
color (e.g., it lacks the spot on the caudal peduncle, it does
not have the sweeping black band behind the eye). Like its wider-ranging
counterpart, this tends to be one of the more durable Chaetodontid
species. It should be kept in a larger tank with peaceful tankmates,
plenty of hiding places and swimming room. Provide it with a
varied diet. Like the "regular" Raccoon Butterfly It
can be employed to clean live rock of glass anemones.
Minimum tank
size: 55 Gallon
Feeding and
diet: Carnivorous, feed marine
fish, crustacean flesh, mysid shrimp and frozen preparations.
Reef Compatibility:
This species feeds on a wide-range
of invertebrates, including some of the species we attempt to
maintain in the reef tank. It will even eat large anemones.
Level of
Care: Moderate |
Medium /Large $149.99 |
Racoon Butterfly
Fiji,
Chaetodon lunula
Identification:
If you want
a hardy buytterfly, this is one of the top choices. Like all
butterflies, It should be kept with peaceful tankmates and provide
it a varied diet. And also any butterfly, if it is picked on
initially or feels a threat from tankmates, it may refuse to
feed. It should be kept in a big tank with plenty of swimming
room. Keep one per tank unless the tank is very large. It is
generally bold as butterflies go, and gets along well in the
peaceful community tank. It can also be used to clean live rock
of Aiptasia anemones, however, it may also pick at corals once
it has taken care of the anemones. If you're considering a Copperband
Butterfly for Aiptasia anemone control, but would prefer a different
butterfly, or something hardier than the copperband, the Raccoon
Butterfly will work as well and is generally the number two choice
for the job, just be aware you may have to remove it after the
anemones are gone. Medium sized specimens fare notably better
than small ones.
Minimum tank
size: 55 Gallon
Feeding and
diet: Omnivorous, feed marine
fish, crustacean flesh, mysid shrimp and frozen preparations
that include algae.
Reef Compatibility:
This species feeds on a wide-range
of invertebrates, including some of the species we attempt to
maintain in the reef tank.
Level of
Care: Moderate |
Small $34.99 Medium $39.99
Large $69.99 |
Yellow Longnose
Butterfly
Forcipiger
flavissimus
Identification:
This interesting
fish is a hardy aquarium resident. It often begins feeding sooner
than other butterflies in captivity. This species will do best
if kept in a peaceful community tank, however, it can be housed
with moderately bold tankmates providing is acclimated to the
tank before them, and you keep in mind this is a butterfly and
not a trigger. When harassed, it will direct its long, stout
dorsal spines towards the aggressor to defend itself. It is prudent
to keep only one per aquarium, as it will often behave aggressively
towards members of its own species.
Minimum tank
size: 75 Gallon
Feeding and
diet: Carnivorous, feed marine
fish, crustacean flesh, mysid shrimp and frozen preparations.
Reef Compatibility:
Most individuals can be kept
in a reef tank with most soft corals and small-polyped stony
corals, although some may nip at large-polyped stony corals,
certain soft corals (including xeniids and clavulariids) and
zoanthids (e.g., Parazoanthus spp.).
Level of
Care: Fairly Easy |
Small $24.99 Medium $34.99 Large $44.99 |
