CHAETODONTIDAE


Chaetodon lunula, 9.5 cm SL
(photo by Ukkrit Satapoomin)


Chaetodon lunula
(Lacepède, 1802)
Raccoon Butterflyfish

D XI-XIII, 22-25; A III, 17-19; P1 15-16; LLp 31-41; LR 35-44.

Snout short, predorsal contour relatively straight. Lateral line incomplete. Caudal fin truncate to slightly rounded. Color: golden yellow becoming brown on upper half of sides; a series of oblique reddish brown bands, most evident on lower half of body; a curved broad, yellow-edged black band from gill cover above pectoral fin to base of middle dorsal spine; a narrow yellowedged black band along base of anterior dorsal spines; a large black spot on caudal peduncle; a prominent black bar through eye with a white bar just behind it. Size: maximum length about 18 cm. Distribution: Indo-Pacific. Remarks: inhabits coral reefs at depths of 1-30 m.