- White Spots on Raccoon Butterfly -
I have a small raccoon butterfly in my main tank - FOWLR.  I had it in quarantine for 2 weeks and now in my main tank for 2 weeks.  I see some tiny white dots on the tail.  It's eating normally and acting fine.  Should I put it back into quarantine tank with medicine or is it nothing and will it go away? <I'd leave it be for now - a few spots on a fin shouldn't be an extreme concern and better at this point for the fish to resume a "normal" life rather than quarantine. Do keep an eye on those spots and make sure they don't multiply - if they do then you know what you'll need to do.>
Thanks.
Mitch
<Cheers, J -- >

Aiptasia-Eating Raccoon Butterflies (3/19/05)
Hi Folks, 
<Hi there. Steve Allen with you tonight.>
You have all been so helpful that I thought I should report my results for anyone who may have a similar problem. <Thanks for sharing.> 
I have a 300 gallon reef tank that has been going for many years now. I recently had an Aiptasia infestation. Well, plague would be a better word. 
<Yikes!> 
They were everywhere, including starting to sting my polyp colonies. 
<Yes, this is one of their many problems. I have a Blastomussa that was harmed in this way.> 
Nothing that I tried worked. Peppermint shrimp did nothing. 
<It's definitely frustrating when they don't eat what they're supposed to. It's sort of like trying to get a recalcitrant child to eat healthy food.> 
I turned to a Copperband Butterflyfish. I couldn't keep one alive through quarantine...
<These are tough fish to keep alive long-term, and some don't have a personal taste for Aiptasia either.>
... so I finally broke down decided it was time to take a risk with a Raccoon. 
<Interesting>
I got a small one. I kept him in 75-gallon quarantine for 45 days, passing Aiptasia infested rock through to give him a taste. 
<Good idea.> 
He has been in my 300 for about a month now, and there is not an Aiptasia to be found! 
<Congratulations!> 
The better news is that he has touched none of my corals, and none of my polyps. 
<I hope that this remains true now that the Aiptasia is gone. Keep him well-fed with other things and keep a close eye on your corals. Again, all fishes have their individual variations, so "reef-safe" and other traits are generalizations that may not hold for a given individual.> 
I even have two Condylactis Anemones I had taken in as rescues to help out the prior owner, and he hasn't touched those, either. He tells me that the books give his species a bum rap. 
Maybe its just blind luck, 
<Good fortune is always welcome. Take it when you can get it.>
and there are certainly no guarantees or warranties, but this has been my experience. 
<Thank goodness for small favors, eh?> 
Regards, Dale M. 
<Again, thanks for sharing.> 

Re: Butterfly fish
Bob,
In the past I have asked for your advise and it has always been right on the
mark. One thing I have learned in this hobby is do your homework, before you
create a problem.
<Yes, Hallelujah!>
I want to add a butterfly Raccoon (Chaetodon fasciatus) or
Threadfin (Chaetodon auriga) to my display tank (after a three week Q). First
question is in the trade almost all raccoons I see are not from the Red Sea and
appear to be Chaetodon lunula.
<Yes. Lunulas distribution range is much closer to us/U.S.>
Any ideas on how to find Chaetodon fasciatus in
the Cleveland area.
<Have your dealer's contact Quality Marine in Los Angeles>
Also, I have about 15 snails that are breeding rapidly
(probably 20 or 30 little snails developing), a cleaner shrimp, several hermit
crabs, and two peppermint shrimp (to keep Aiptasia under control). This is a
FOWLR tank (no corals). Are either of these good choices or would they likely
make a meal out of my inverts. If not what would be a better choice?
<Should be fine together>
Thanks for your help,
Geoff Goodfellow
<Welcome. Bob Fenner>

No Butterfly Kisses Here (Butterfly in a Reef)...
Oh knowledgeable ones,
<Wow! I've been called susceptible, corruptible, culpable, even palatable...but knowledgeable- that's cool! Scott F. here tonight>
I am thinking of adding a raccoon butterfly to a 500 gallon reef tank. Mostly SPS. I do have some rose anemones in the tank. Would they be at risk or the SPS.  Any thoughts would be appreciated. I did try to page through you question pages but could not find this are describing this. Thanks in advance.
<On the whole, I'd have to call this fish "reef-unsafe". It really will eat, or at least sample, most of the SPS and other corals and inverts that you are keeping. In fact- I can recall at least one book that recommends trying an anemone as an appetite stimulant for a Raccoon Butterfly who's a reluctant feeder. Yikes! Much better to try a Chaetodon kleinii, or a Forcipiger longirostris ("Big Long-Nosed Butterflyfish"), IMO. These fishes are a bit less of a threat to your corals. Granted, in a large tank with lots of corals- the "damage" is spread out over a lot of specimens, but do you really want to put them at risk? It's really a "roll of the dice" when attempting to keep a Butterfly in a coral-dominated reef system. Keep researching these fishes, and make the decision based upon your level of comfort...Good luck! Regards, Scott F>

Chaetodon lunula
Help, just added a Raccoon Butterfly to my 140 gallon tank. I have tried to get him to eat, no luck so far. I have tried Hikari "Marine S", pellets. Frozen food tried is as follows; mega marine, brine shrimp, blood worms with no luck. He just looks at it and swims on buy. I have also tried morning and night feedings. I have only had the fish 3 days but my concern grows. Specs on the tank are, total four fish 5" dogface,3" Picasso trigger, 5" Sailfin tang, raccoon 3".....thanks for your help...I check your website daily, have your book and love it, it has served me very well........thx again. good day
<Hi Theresa, There are several issues specific to BF's. Please read about them at http://www.wetwebmedia.com/raccoon.htm
and the general links about BF's at the top of the page. I would keep offering food, hopefully he will eat soon. The activity of the other fish eating should help if he is up to it. Craig> 

Raccoon butterfly?
Hello doctor,
<Bob's not here right now, and I've been called a lot of things before but "doctor" has never been one of them.... well, there was that one time after a crazy convention in Vegas... but that is really another matter altogether (?!?) Anthony Calfo in your service>
I am on day 10 of a copper treatment @ .20ppm. 
<for the record...many of the copper tolerant fishes seem to navigate a antiparasitic treatment better at .25ppm. Under .20 is rather ineffective... a judgment call for each of us. >30 is lethal to many fishes just the same.>
All of my other fish have long stopped itching except my raccoon bf. He really seems to be aggravated. I have several other different butterfly fish, and a Foxface and a tomato clown. None of these fish seem to be troubled at all in this 135 tank.
Are raccoon butterfly fish especially sensitive to copper? 
<Ahh... yes. Butterflies, Angels...some tangs, drumfish/croakers, Elasmobranchs, dragonets, Firefish, cardinals...the list goes on...>
My 4 eyed butterfly appears to be very similar to the raccoon, yet like the rest of the fish he is ok. 
<not a fair comparison over such a short span of time or between species which likely have different tolerances. Many fish make it through a symptomatic stage of treatment only to die days or weeks later from overmedication or drug sensitivity (meds stored in body fats, used up and OD later)>
Help. I can't stand to see him so bothered. Would a partial water change help?
<sure... water changes daily from the tank bottom reduce tomites that eventually infect hosts... but this fish really needs freshwater dips. They are more effective and direct than copper for many fish anyways. If unsure, please review protocol for conducting proper FW dips in the WWM archives or Bob's Conscientious Marine Aquarist if you are fortunate to have it. Have faith... Raccoons are incredibly hardy... but what's up with the 4-eye butterfly? Who the heck suggested that to you?! It can't be more than a year old and odds are against it ever seeing it sorry to say, although I hope for the best indeed. Especially without QT for all new fishes... really critical. Please be sure to feed an extraordinary and varied diet. >
Thank you, Steve
<best regards, Anthony>

Raccoon B/F
Mr. Fenner, I have looked to you for advice in the past and most of the
time your experience is a huge asset to me. I need your advice again. I
recently purchased a Raccoon b/f from ffexpress and it is about 3-3.5" long
and pretty robust for a b/f (not paper thin like most). He is in my 10g qt
tank with the following stats: 0-.1 ammonia just a smidge over the 0, but
not quit .2, but my qt tank never goes any lower than that, and I have QT'd
a Naso tang and emperor angel in it with no problems), 0 nitrate, 0
nitrite, 1.025 salinity, 78* temp, ph 8. The reason I am asking for your
advice is because the little bugger has not taken a bite of one thing I
have put in the tank yet. I have tried small amounts(3-5) of live black
worms, small pieces of squid, and small pieces of formula 2, and he will
not even go near the food, let alone nibble on it. I have the Naso and
emperor that I mentioned above and they took a few days to start eating the
angel took about 2-3 days to start eating all the food, but he nibbled at
least the first day or so). I have had the raccoon since Thursday evening,
and he still shows no sign of eating or of settling down. He is very
skittish, shy, and secretive. I come into the room were his tank is and he
either hides close to the pvc tube I put in the tank for him or he rushes
behind the sponge filter and just stays there all freaked out for about a
minute or two and then comes out, but not very far from safety (My emperor
and Naso were shy like the b/f for about a day maybe two, but after that,
just like a puppy, out and about) . I am not scared yet that he is going to
die, but I am getting concerned after 4 days of him not eating a damn
thing. I also put a piece of live rock in the tank that has some good algae
growth on it so that he can nibble on that I have noticed him one time,
taking a nibble on it, but that will not sustain him). So, what are my
options, what do I do to get him to eat, what can I try that I haven't?
<I would take a calculated risk here... pH adjusted freshwater dip this specimen and place it in your main/display tank>
I
have read that b/f's can not pass up a fresh opened clam, live brine
shrimp, or a certain type of cheap anemone you state in your book that
Condylactis are prolific and cheap). I have not tried these, but where
would I get a fresh clam? And if you could recommend a few things that have
worked for you to get a shy b/f to start eating, that would be great. The
b/f's at one of my LFS's are shy, but once they are used to you being in
front of the tank, they come out flying around, chasing each other all over
the place, and eating chunks of meat or flake food like rabid dogs. If the
live anemone is almost a sure thing, I would have no problem buying one to
get him eating. I just don't understand why the little guy is not eating
yet, from what yourself, other authors, and people in the fish community
say, the raccoon is one of the best b/f's to have in captivity. They
supposedly eat well and are very hardy as well as the saddleback and auriga
b/f. So what gives?
<Hmm, nothing... just an at-times skittish species of small size>
When I had the angel and he did not really eat for
about 3-4 days, I was freaking out, but by the 4th day, he started eating
and within another few days, he was a rapid dog (as of now, he basically
eats whatever is in tank: formula 2, pygmy angel formula, sponge formula,
Nori, seaweed selects, and even flake food)! But the point is, he did begin
to at least check the food out and take a few goes at it in the first few
days, were as the b/f is still freaked out and not at all interested in
eating yet. And if you tell me, "well, you should probably only buy fish
that you can see eating before you buy", I would respond, "I don't have 100
dollars to spend on one freaking little tiny fish." And even if I did have
that type of money to blow on a fish I wouldn't because it is way cheaper
on the net. From what I have found, the fish I own and the fish my friends
own, ffexpress and marine center have much higher quality fish than what I
see in the LFS's. 
The fish in the LFS sometimes have ich or other diseases
and are sometimes dead or pretty thin, were as ffexpress and Marin center
fish are very robust, have no disease what so ever, and are beautiful. I
bought the raccoon from one the most reputable fish dealers on the net,
ffexpress, and I have never had a problem with them nor anyone I know.
Thanks for any help in advance and as always, I love receiving insight from
an experienced person like yourself. Ryan Fick
<I think you and the B/F are better off going ahead with the above... this is what I would do. Bob Fenner>

Re: Raccoon B/F
Mr. Fenner, when you say, "I think you and the B/F are better off going
ahead with the above... this
is what I would do", does that mean I should go ahead and give it a fresh
water ph adjusted dip and get him in the main display tank?
<Yes, exactly. The risk of disease introduction here is far outweighed by the benefit of moving this fish... there is too much likelihood that it will suffer from lack of nutrition otherwise>
I am assuming
that's what you meant since that was the only thing you wrote, besides the
"Hmm, nothing... just an at-times skittish species of small size." What is
the reasoning behind this calculated risk? Is it that if he is in the main
tank surrounded by a close representation of his reality and peers, he will
then feel at home and begin to become comfortable and start eating? 
<Yes, and that there are more "things" for the lunula to eat>
That is
what I am thinking it might do, but I would have never thought to do that
since yourself and most others state that all new arrivals should be QT'd
for at least a month. 
<Not all for sure... gobies and blennies for instance would likely perish through this trial>
But by fresh water dipping him, I am hopefully
killing any saltwater diseases or pathogens, correct? 
<Yes, please read: http://wetwebmedia.com/dips_baths.htm>
Thanks for the advice
and don't worry, I will not blame you if the fish dies, I already realized
when I first got into this that these animals are a lot harder to take care
of than a dog or cat and fully expect to loose a fish sometime hopefully
not, and that is why I ask for advice from long time experts like
yourself). Ryan
<Be chatting my friend. Bob Fenner>

Raccoon Fish
Hi, I just bought a raccoon and pacific Double Saddled Butterfly. Any
suggestions on keeping them alive and healthy? do you have any tricks or tips
for keeping them in good shape. I heard that live brine shrimp is a must on
arrivals for butterflies, I can only get live brine shrimp in a few days so I
hope they survive the first few days. any suggestions would be great.
and I really like your book! -Matt
<Thanks for writing... and pumping me up! Yes to having a bunch to say about these two great Butterflyfish species... actually have separate articles on both posted on the site: www.WetWebMedia.com
Bob Fenner>

Re: Raccoon Fish
<Note: Add Link/WWM>
Hi, I have an aquarium member site also, I was wondering if you would be able
to join a chatroom discussion sometime? Do you think you would be able to do
that, I'm sure my members would be happy if you could talk to them. Just email
me if you are interested in doing this. My website is saltwater.8m.com
Thank you! -Matt
<A nice, clean web. Will add you as a link, and do let me know if/when you have openings for your chatroom discussions. Bob Fenner>

Raccoon Butterfly
Dear Mr. Fenner,
Don't know if you'll get this in time, but here goes: I took your advice on
using a raccoon butterflyfish to control Aiptasia, which is getting totally
out of hand in my 55 reef. No sooner was the fish out of the bag today, but
he nailed several Aips! I thought, "Great!" and then the wars broke out. My
old (3 yrs) gold & black Chromis had to be removed as he was determined to
kill the butterfly within the hour. All seemed fine until a few minutes
ago, the adult tomato clown attacked the raccoon, and is spitting out scales!
<Yikes, some established social dynamic now!>
The lights are out, I already rearranged the liverock to some extent (had to
get to the darn Chromis!) thinking that would re-establish territories.
<Not likely in such a small system>
I hope this beautiful fish is still alive in the morning, (I don't have a
place to put him) but what can I do to prevent WW3 in this tank?
<Move the other grand offendis, the other fishes>
Hoping you can help, thanks in advance :) Stephanie
<Peace to you, and your livestock! Bob Fenner>

Re: Raccoon Butterfly
Thanks so much for your reply - that's what I was afraid you'd say :)
Well, things are much more peaceful today, the raccoon has elected to stay on
one end of the tank, and the tomato seems to be satisfied with that for now.
Keeping my fingers crossed!
S. Sullivan
<Me too... hopefully all the Aiptasia and agonistic behavior will soon be over. Bob Fenner>

Raccoon Butterfly
I recently bought a raccoon butterfly for Aiptasia
control. My first two choices were unavailable, they
were peppermint shrimps and an Auriga butterfly. there
was a Copperband available but I was not confident
enough to keep it, because I've had bad luck with
them. Anyways. I brought the fish home, acclimated it
and introduced it into my reef. I've had it for 4 days
now. Its not eating. it only picks at the liverock.
wont touch the Aiptasia nor will it eat frozen Mysis
or live brine. nothing is harassing it. My water is 0
Ammonia, Nitrate and nitrite. temp is 78°F. The tank
is a 60gallon reef, with 80lbs of live rock. 2 leather
corals and over 160 mushroom anenomes and a large pink
tip that split. Fish consist of 1 Marine Betta, 1
tomato clown, 1 Tailspot wrasse, and 1 Sailfin tang.
Algae crew is 30 astrea snails and 1 large turbo
snail. and 20 scarlet reef crabs and 2 emerald crabs.
Lighting consists of 4 96w PC lights. I have an
AquaMaster 600 to hold media like carbon. I use a
Seaclone as a protein skimmer, which I will be
upgrading within a month. I have 2 power heads, one on
each end of the tank. I do 25% water change
every month. I also have a large problem with Blue
Green algae (Cyanobacteria) I presume. I need help
getting rid of this too. Hope this is enough detail for
you to trouble shoot. thanks.
Dexter
>>
Hmm, who can say re the non-feeding Raccoon... it should start feeding soon... I would be hopeful here. Concerning the Aiptasia and the C. lunula...? Also, hard to tell... some do munch on Glass Anemones... others stick with zooplankton or substitutes of same... I do have a concern re your stmt. of so many corallimorphs... these may need to be thinned/traded... and your Cyano problems will definitely be helped by way of upgrading the skimming... Additionally, I would start using some (a unit, like Chemipure) of activated carbon replaced every month... to lower dissolved organics... possibly the chemical effects of the coral anemones and the BGA.
Bob Fenner

Re: Raccoon Butterfly
Why are my mushrooms a concern? the toxics they create? >>
<Possibly, along with their "high" status at winning in the "stinging" competition.
Bob Fenner>

I have a Raccoon Butterfly fish that I just got yesterday. I don't know what they eat. I tried frozen algae cubes and he liked it just fine. What else do they eat?? Do they like baby brine???
>>
What? No! Buying livestock without first checking out its husbandry... This is a generalized zooplanktivore species that eats most anything meaty that is small enough to get in its mouth.
Bob Fenner

Red Sea Raccoon
Hi Bob-
Well impulse selection has reared its ugly head again. It all started 
as I entered a local Petco and wandered over to the 
marine section. Something caught my eye immediately it was what 
appeared to be a 3" Red Sea Raccoon. I believe it to be a 
Red Sea specimen as the colors are very bright and the tail is 
distinctive as to what I have seen before as a Red Sea Raccoon.
The origin was not noted on the price, which was another thing that 
caught my eye it was priced at 18.99 with 25% off all 
Tropical fish, total was 14.24. There was another Raccoon there half 
the size and was distinctively different than the larger 
one. I owned a 1" non Red Sea Raccoon for about 15 months until it 
stopped eating and perished.

My question is that I very much want to keep this fish alive and 
hopefully thriving for many years as it is indeed a 
very beautiful species. The problem I think I will encounter is in 
regards to feeding and I would like some tips on caring 
for this fish. Current inhabitants are:
Black finned Trigger, Assasi Trigger, Naso Tang, Yellow Tang all in a 125 
gal.
How can I make sure he will get enough nutrition. While feeding the 
other Raccoon I had to wait for him to surface in the corner and drop 
food in the tank right in front of him it was kind of a pain but he was 
small. Last night he ate a little scallop and was 
constantly scourging the live rock for something. He was very active 
and swimming at all levels.

I have a Aug 97 issue of Tropical Fish Hobbyist and you wrote an 
article called "Rating the Red Sea Butterflyfishes".
The article is brief but states that the SG should be no lower than 
1025 has this changed at all since then?
This fish being nocturnal should I feed him at night when the lights 
are out as he would have a better chance of getting
food.
Any additional info as to what is in the article would be appreciated.
Thanks
Tom 
>>
Hmm, wow, always wonder if I'm the only one keeping tract of pet-fish hobby articles!
Yes to keeping the specific gravity high(er) in my opinion... And this is a very tough species all in all (as you know)... and a steady zooplanktivore... best kept in an established reef system with lots of live rock... and it should do fine in your system... if it can edge in its meals amongst those triggers... more frequent feedings, small amounts... in particular near lights out time... should do.
Bob Fenner, who has that Chaetodon fasciatus (Red Sea) and Indo Pacific (C. lunula) Raccoon Butterflyfishes piece archived at www.wetwebmedia.com for others perusal.