Raccoon Butterflyfish

ID points

• A black and white eye band, like the mask of a raccoon
• A broad white band over the head, running back at an angle
• Fine diagonal lines cover the sides, a black spot on the tail base

Basics

Family

Chaetodontidae

Length

12–20 cm

Depth

0-30 m

Regions

Indo-Pacific reefs

Distribution

Indo-Pacific coral reefs

Habitat

Shallow coral reefs and lagoons

Diet

Coral polyps, anemones, algae

Easily confused with

ButterflyfishFlattened disc-shaped body with a protruding snoutCopperband ButterflyfishFour broad copper-orange bands edged in black on a white groundEightband ButterflyfishEight thin, evenly spaced black vertical bands on a pale yellow ground

Fun fact

The black and white markings around the eyes look just like a raccoon's mask. It is one of the butterflyfishes divers meet most often, and one of the best loved.

More in this family

• Bannerfish
• Foureye Butterflyfish
• Lemon Butterflyfish
• Longnose Butterflyfish
• Saddleback Butterflyfish
• Teardrop Butterflyfish