The oval-shaped raccoon butterflyfish (Chaetodon lunula) have black and white bands over the face and eyes, similar to a raccoon’s mask. Here are seven more fun facts about this lovely fish!

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. This species can be found throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific region — but don’t look for it in the Red Sea. Chaetodon fasciatus (Red Sea raccoon butterflyfish) is a similar species.

4. They prefer seaward reefs and shallow reef flats of lagoons, and like hanging out anywhere up to 90 feet or so.

5. Like many reef fishes, this butterflyfish spawns their pelagic eggs into the water column where they are fertilized and dispersed by the currents. Eggs are tiny (<1 mm) and embryos hatch about 30 hours after fertilization. 6. They spend their days tirelessly pecking at coral and rock formations with their long, thin snouts in search of coral polyps, worms, and other small invertebrates. 7. They are a popular aquarium fish where they are known as "peaceful" fish (translation: they won't eat the other fish in the tank). We divers prefer them on the reef. Source: Sport Diver