Halfmoon Butterfly...   

Halfmoon Butterflyfish's description

Chaetodon lunula can reach a length of 20 cm (nearly 8 in).These large butterflyfishes have an oval outline, with a pattern of ascending oblique reddish stripes on the flanks and black and white bands over the face and eyes, similar to the "raccoon" mask (hence the common name). They show a black spot on the caudal peduncle and oblique yellow stripes behind the head.[6] They have 10-14 dorsal spines and 3 anal spines.

Halfmoon Butterflyfish's facts

• The oval-shaped raccoon butterflyfish can reach a length of nearly 8 inches. In addition to its striking black and white bands over the face and eyes, it has a pattern of reddish stripes on the flanks. They also have a noticeable black blotch at the base of the tail fin — meant to look like an eye to confuse their predators— and oblique yellow stripes behind the head.
• The raccoon butterflyfish is generally not aggressive toward other fish, except their not big fans of lionfish and triggerfish. When those two show up, the raccoon butterfly can get feisty and territorial.
• They prefer seaward reefs and shallow reef flats of lagoons, and like hanging out anywhere up to 90 feet or so.

Halfmoon Butterflyfish's Behavior & Ecology

This species prefers seaward reefs and shallow reef flats of lagoon, at a depth of over 30 m.

Halfmoon Butterflyfish's Feeding

Chaetodon lunula is a nocturnal species that usually lives in small groups. Adults feed mainly on nudibranchs and small invertebrates, but also on algae and coral polyps.

Halfmoon Butterflyfish's Reproduction

Butterflyfishes are egg-scatterers, releasing their gametes to the whims of surface currents cued by moon and tides. Larval young develop through a strange armored “tholichthys” stage as pelagic plankton, settling down (hopefully) as miniature adults. Like most other chaetodonts, the raccoon species are indistinguishable sexually.

Halfmoon Butterflyfish's Relationship with Humans

It is traded in aquarium fishery.

Halfmoon Butterflyfish habitat

Halfmoon Butterflyfish threats

Halfmoon Butterflyfish's status