Chaetodon lunula

(Lacepède, 1802)

Vernacular names
English : Raccoon butterflyfish
French : Poisson papillon raton-laveur

Classification
Class : Teleostei
Order : Acanthuriformes (sometimes still Perciformes)
Family : Chaetodontidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Adults will grow to 20 cm. Upper parts of flanks olive-brown, lower part with yellow and dark olive oblique bands. Front and back of flanks with broad curved yellow-edged black bands. Black and white mask on forehead. Black spot at tail base.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in the Indo-Pacific area, from East Africa to Hawaii and Marquesas islands, occasionally to Galapagos Islands. Lives in rocky areas and coral reefs in lagoons and outer reefs, to 60 meters deep.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species has a huge range and remains widespread and abundant. Local declines have been noted and their cause remains unclear for now.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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