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Common Name: raccoon butterflyfish
Synonyms and Other Names: Pomacentrus lunula (original combination); raccoon butterfly
Taxonomy: available through 
Identification:
Family Chaetodontidae Butterflyfishes are probably most similar in appearance to angelfishes (family Pomacanthidae), but can easily be distinguished from them. Butterflyfishes lack the distinctive spine(s) at the angle of the preopercle in angelfishes. Also, angelfishes lack the scaly axillary process at the base of the pectoral fins and false-eye spots. Chaetodon lunula Most chaetodontids are identified by their distinctive colour patterns (see photo above). The body is primarily yellow with some brownish markings. The vertical ocular bar is black; posterior to the ocular bar is a broad, white bar. These two bars together give the appearance of a raccoon's mask. Large black and brown markings occur on the upper dorsum posterior to the white bar and dorsally to the base of the dorsal fin. There is a black blotch at the caudal peduncle. The dorsal, caudal and anal fins are edged in black. Juveniles have a black blotch at the posterior base of the caudal fin. Chaetodon fasciatus (Red Sea raccoon butterflyfish) is a similar species from the Summarised from Pyle 2001; Froese and Pauly 2004; illustrated in Burgess and Axelrod 1973; Myers 1999.
Members of the Family Chaetodontidae (i.e., butterflyfishes) typically are oval-shaped, deep-bodied and highly compressed. Chaetodontids have a single, continuous dorsal fin and a scaly axillary process at the upper base of the pelvic fins. Many chaetodontids are brightly coloured and thus popular aquarium fishes. Most species have a dark vertical bar across the head that obscures the eye and a dark "false eye" on the posterior portion of the body. The combination of the eyebar and false eye confuses potential predators about the identity and/or orientation of the fish (Neudecker 1989).
The lateral line is complete with < 60 scales. The pectoral fins are rounded, not elongated. The snout is only slightly pronounced and the head profile is steep. Dorsal spines X-XIV. Dorsal soft rays 20-25. Anal spines III. Anal soft rays 17-20.
Size: to 20 cm TL (Froese and Pauly 2004)
Native Range:
The raccoon butterflyfish is native to most of the Indo-Pacific, including East and
In Florida, this species has been observed/photographed on reefs off
Ecology:
There are 40 or more species of butterflyfishes in the Indo-Pacific and they exhibit varying degrees of habitat specificity. For the raccoon butterflyfish, the typical habitat includes coral reefs from one to 60 m in depth (Pyle 2001). In Moorea (
Like many reef fishes, butterflyfishes spawn their pelagic eggs into the water column where they are fertilized and dispersed by the currents (Hourigan 1989). Eggs are small (<1 mm) and embryos hatch about 30 hours after fertilization (Leis 1989). The larvae subsequently spend about 40 days in the plankton before settling to the reef (Hourigan and Reese 1987). Age estimates for the duration of the pelagic phase (based on otoliths) varied from 20 to 57 days for 23 chaetodontid fishes in a study by Leis (1989). The duration of the pelagic stage is unknown specifically for the raccoon butterflyfish. However, Watanabe (1946 in Leis 1989) documented that larvae measured <15.5 mm at settlement.
Means of Introduction:
This species is present in the aquarium trade; however, it is difficult to successfully maintain in captivity due to its dietary preferences.
Status:
Reported from
Impact of Introduction:
Unknown.
Remarks:
Bouchon-Navaro, Y. 1981. Quantitative distribution of the Chaetodontidae on a reef of
Burgess, W. and H. R. Axelrod. 1973. Pacific Marine Fishes. Book 1. T. F. H. Publications, Ltd.
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2004. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, version (09/2004).
Harmelin-Vivien, M. L. 1989. Implications of feeding specialization on the recruitment processes and community structure of butterflyfishes. Environmental Biology of Fishes 25: 101-110.
Hourigan, T. F. 1989. Environmental determinants of butterflyfish social systems. Environmental Biology of Fishes 25: 61-78.
Leis, J. M. 1989. Larval biology of butterflyfishes (Pisces, Chaetodontidae): what do we really know? Environmental Biology of Fishes 25: 87-100.
Myers, R. F. 1999. Micronesian Reef Fishes. A field guide for divers and aquarists. Coral Graphics,
Neudecker, S. 1989. Eye camouflage and false eyespots: chaetodontid responses to predators. Environmental Biology of Fishes 25: 143-157.
Pyle, R. 2001. Chaetodontidae. Butterflyfishes. Pages 3224-3265 In: Carpenter, K. E. and V. H. Niem, (Eds.). FAO species identification guide for fishery purposes. The living marine resources of the Western Central Pacific. Volume 5. Bony fishes part 3 (Menidae to Pomacentridae).
Reef. 2008. Reef Environmental Education Foundation. Exotic species sighting program and volunteer database. World wide web electronic publication. www.reef.org, date of download March 10, 2008.
Other Resources:
REEF http://www.reef.org/exotic
Species Summary for Chaetodon lunula raccoon butterflyfish (FishBase)
Author: Pamela J. Schofield
Revision Date: 1/5/2009 Citation for this information:
Pamela J. Schofield. 2009. Chaetodon lunula. USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL.
<http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.asp?speciesID=2301> Revision Date: 1/5/2009
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