With that black bandit mask across its eyes, the raccoon butterflyfish is one of the reef's most recognizable characters. They travel in pairs, picking at coral polyps and small invertebrates, and they have a curious habit of checking out divers — this one swam right up to inspect me. Butterflyfish are the reef's ornaments, and the raccoon's bold markings make it one of my favorites to photograph.
It is personality in fish form — that masked face, those bold stripes, the curious tilt as it sized me up. Reef fish portraits do not get more charming than this.
The Bandit Mask: That black eye-band is unmistakable — nature's own disguise.
A Curious Subject: This one came to investigate me, giving a rare close portrait.
Reef Colors: Bold black, white, and yellow against the living coral backdrop.
Bring this reef character into your home — the raccoon butterflyfish, masked and magnificent.
With that black bandit mask across its eyes, the raccoon butterflyfish is one of the reef's most recognizable characters. They travel in pairs, picking at coral polyps and small invertebrates, and they have a curious habit of checking out divers — this one swam right up to inspect me. Butterflyfish are the reef's ornaments, and the raccoon's bold markings make it one of my favorites to photograph.
It is personality in fish form — that masked face, those bold stripes, the curious tilt as it sized me up. Reef fish portraits do not get more charming than this.
The Bandit Mask: That black eye-band is unmistakable — nature's own disguise.
A Curious Subject: This one came to investigate me, giving a rare close portrait.
Reef Colors: Bold black, white, and yellow against the living coral backdrop.
Bring this reef character into your home — the raccoon butterflyfish, masked and magnificent.
