Common name: Blackspot cleaner wrasse

General information

The Peppermint Cleaner Wrasse, Labroides pectoralis, is a captivating species known for its striking coloration and beneficial cleaning behavior. This small, elongated fish is predominantly pink with a peppermint-like stripe pattern that runs the length of its body, giving it its common name. It is a member of the Labridae family, which includes other cleaner wrasses, and is often observed in the wild performing cleaning services for a variety of fish species.

Care

In the aquarium, the Peppermint Cleaner Wrasse requires a well-established system with plenty of live rock for hiding and foraging. They are best kept in a tank with a diverse community of fish that they can clean, as this mimics their natural behavior and provides them with a source of nutrition. It is important to note that these wrasses can be challenging to keep due to their specialized dietary needs, often relying on ectoparasites and dead skin from other fish. Supplemental feeding with small, meaty foods is necessary to ensure their well-being in the absence of a steady supply of parasites.

Reproduction

Cleaner wrasses, including Labroides pectoralis, are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning they are born female and have the ability to change to male later in life. In the wild, they form harems consisting of one dominant male and several females. Breeding in captivity is rare, but understanding their social structure is important for maintaining harmony within the aquarium.

Symbiosis

The Peppermint Cleaner Wrasse is renowned for its symbiotic relationship with other fish species. It sets up 'cleaning stations' where it removes parasites, dead tissue, and mucus from the skin of visiting fish. This service is mutually beneficial as it provides the wrasse with food and the client fish with health maintenance. This behavior can be observed in the aquarium, where the wrasse may offer its cleaning services to tank mates.

Habitat

Labroides pectoralis is found in the Western Pacific, from the Great Barrier Reef to the Ryukyu Islands. They inhabit coral-rich areas of lagoons and outer reefs, often seen at depths of 1 to 30 meters. In the aquarium, replicating their natural environment with live rock structures and a diverse fish community can help promote natural behaviors and overall health.