Raccoon Butterflyfish

Care Summary

The Raccoon is the best entry-level butterflyfish in the hobby: it eats frozen food readily, ships well, adjusts fast, and has a clean, distinctive pattern that anyone can appreciate. That black mask across the face with the white patches is where the common name comes from and it genuinely reads like a raccoon marking, which makes explaining it to non-hobbyists easy and fun. Keep it in a fish-only or FOWLR system because it will consume corals, urchin tube feet, and ornamental invertebrates without hesitation. It is also one of the most inexpensive butterflyfishes available, which makes it the go-to recommendation for anyone wanting to try the family without a major investment.