Care
The Raccoon Butterflyfish is a
robust, largely nocturnal species known from shallow reef flats, lagoons, and
seaward reefs, up to a depth of around 30m (98ft). Juvenile fish tend to favour
rocky inner reef flats or tide pools, but adults are often observed swimming
more out in the open, in pairs or small groups and feeding on various
invertebrates, coral polyps, and algae. In the home aquarium, Raccoon
Butterflyfish should be offered plenty of swimming space and a multitude of
hiding places. These fish are best kept singly, although if you are blessed
with an XXL system, they make be kept in large groups - consisting of same-size
fish added simultaneously, to help avoid aggression. Such groups may bicker
from time to time, but as long as they are provided with plenty of visual
barriers amongst the décor, no real harm should ensue. However, be aware that such
groups will not work in smaller quarters. These fish should not be housed with
any other butterflyfish species as they will show much hostility towards each other;
however they are usually safe with non-related fish species that can look after
themselves (avoid any small, docile species). As mentioned previously, the tank
should contain an abundance of rockwork for the fish to hide amongst, but do
leave a large open swimming space along the front of the aquarium. As with all
butterflyfishes, this species demands excellent water quality - thoroughly
filtered and well oxygenated, with areas of decent current. Although tending to
be of a fairly nocturnal nature in the wild, these fish adapt well to aquarium
lighting and feeding schedules, and often become very active during the day. Interestingly,
the Raccoon Butterflyfish has the ability to change appearance to a dark
blotchy form when wanting to blend into its surroundings at night, or when
threatened. Juveniles sport a prominent false eye spot towards the
top anterior part of the body, which tends to blend in more with the fish’s
markings as it matures. This species is very similar in appearance to the Red
Sea Raccoon Butterflyfish (
C. fasciatus).
Feeding
Offer a wide variety of foods,
fed in small amounts several times per day. Frozen foods such as Mysis shrimp,
vitamin-enriched brineshrimp, Angel & Butterfly mix, finely chopped
clam/mussel/cockle/crab/shrimp/squid etc should be given. Ensure the larger
foodstuffs are chopped into small enough pieces on account of butterflyfish
having tiny mouths.
Breeding
This species has not been bred
in captivity. In the wild, these fish form distinct pairs and scatter their
eggs in open water where they are dispersed by the currents. The eggs are small
(<1 mm), and the embryos hatch approximately 30 hours after fertilization.
The larvae subsequently spend about 40 days in the plankton before settling to
the reef.
