Raccon butterfly picking at new feather duster

Calebb8133 · Nov 28, 2018

I think my racoon butterfly is picking at my new feather duster... I got him about 6 hours ago and he has opened twice both times the rocoon has chased him back in and scence the raccon has picked at him. Is it just curiosity or is he trying to eat him?? It's a double header feather duster btw only one head has come out.

NB Reefer · Nov 28, 2018

The butterfly will totally eat the feather duster.

Calebb8133 · Nov 28, 2018

Caleb Broberg said:
I think my racoon butterfly is picking at my new feather duster... I got him about 6 hours ago and he has opened twice both times the rocoon has chased him back in and scence the raccon has picked at him. Is it just curiosity or is he trying to eat him?? It's a double header feather duster btw only one head has come out.

Sorry about the spelling *Raccoon

Calebb8133 · Nov 28, 2018

NB Reefer said:
The butterfly will totally eat the feather duster.

Ok I figured I can return him tomorrow but can I put it in a QT tank for now

fabutahoun · Nov 29, 2018

Raccoon Butterflies are totally not reef safe and will eat many corals and inverts.

Maritimer · Nov 29, 2018

I've also heard of raccoon butterflies feasting on majano anemones ... so they do have their uses . . .

Butterflies and feather-dusters, though . . . not a good blend.

~Bruce

Musovski · Nov 30, 2018

Yep. Learned that the hard way. Haha. They do that. Just leave him in QT and return it if that’s whats you wish. I returned mine after it began picking on my red monti cap. Ain’t no 40-50$ fish eating my colony. Forget that!

Calebb8133 · Nov 30, 2018

fabutahoun said:
Raccoon Butterflies are totally not reef safe and will eat many corals and inverts.

Will they eat bubble anemones?

Calebb8133 · Nov 30, 2018

fabutahoun said:
Raccoon Butterflies are totally not reef safe and will eat many corals and inverts.

I got one of those as well. When i first put him in he looked nice and healthy the butterfly picked at him twice then I think he got stung because his nose/mouth was stitching for a minute or so. Now he stopped exploring the tank and looks kinda idk...dead he doesn't smell and still has his bubbles but is kinda drooping down. Still attached to the rock though... Is he getting weak because the raccoon is picking at him? Will the raccoon eventually stop?