Racoon Butterflyfish

bertoni · 03/18/2006, 02:30 PM

Racoon butterflyfish (Chaetodon lunula) are likely to eat Aiptasia, and are more reliable than copperband butterflyfish in this regard. In addition to Aiptasia, they are reported to consume majano anemones, another pest.

Racoon butterfly fish are also more dangerous to various reef animals, and should not be housed with sessile invertebrates such as corals and anemones, among others.

This fish is hardier than the copperband butterflyfish. It should be kept only in tanks 75 gallons in size or larger.

The Pearlscale butterflyfish (Chaetodon xanthurus) has been reported as an Aiptasia predator as well, but is considered less reef-safe than even the Racoon butterflyfish.

References:
Marine Fishes, Scott W. Michael, Microcosm Publishing, 1991.
Angelfishes & Butterflyfishes, Scott W. Michael, T. F. H. Publications, 2004.

bertoni · 03/18/2006, 02:47 PM

This thread is part of a series. The base thread is located here.

03/18/2006, 02:30 PM	#1
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Racoon Butterflyfish Racoon butterflyfish (Chaetodon lunula) are likely to eat Aiptasia, and are more reliable than copperband butterflyfish in this regard. In addition to Aiptasia, they are reported to consume majano anemones, another pest. Racoon butterfly fish are also more dangerous to various reef animals, and should not be housed with sessile invertebrates such as corals and anemones, among others. This fish is hardier than the copperband butterflyfish. It should be kept only in tanks 75 gallons in size or larger. The Pearlscale butterflyfish (Chaetodon xanthurus) has been reported as an Aiptasia predator as well, but is considered less reef-safe than even the Racoon butterflyfish. References: Marine Fishes, Scott W. Michael, Microcosm Publishing, 1991. Angelfishes & Butterflyfishes, Scott W. Michael, T. F. H. Publications, 2004. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

03/18/2006, 02:47 PM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	This thread is part of a series. The base thread is located here. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni