Common name: Bluestreak cleaner wrasse

General information

The Cleaner Wrasse, Labroides dimidiatus, is renowned for its role in maintaining the health of reef communities. This small, elongated fish is easily recognized by its striking coloration, with a vibrant blue stripe running longitudinally from its eye to the base of its tail, set against a contrasting yellow backdrop.

In the wild, Cleaner Wrasses establish 'cleaning stations' where they remove parasites and dead tissue from 'client' fish. This mutualistic relationship is not only fascinating but also beneficial to the overall ecosystem.

Care

In the aquarium, Cleaner Wrasses require a well-established environment with plenty of rockwork and hiding places. They are best introduced into mature tanks where a community of fish can support their specialized feeding habits. It's important to note that these wrasses have a high metabolism and need to feed frequently throughout the day on small meaty foods or live parasites found on other fish.

Reproduction

Breeding Cleaner Wrasses in captivity is challenging and rarely successful. They are protogynous hermaphrodites, starting life as females and potentially changing to males if the dominant male is removed. In the wild, they spawn in pairs with a unique dance-like display.

Symbiosis

The symbiotic relationship between Cleaner Wrasses and their 'clients' is one of the most iconic in the marine world. By eating parasites and dead skin, they provide a valuable service, which in turn offers them protection and a constant food source. This behavior can be observed in the aquarium as they clean other fish, including larger species that would otherwise be predatory.

Habitat

Labroides dimidiatus is found in coral-rich areas of the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the central Pacific. They prefer clear lagoons and outer reef slopes, often establishing their cleaning stations at depths between 1 to 30 meters.