Common name: Piano fangblenny
General information
The Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse, scientifically known as Plagiotremus tapeinosoma, is a captivating species renowned for its symbiotic relationship with other marine organisms. This slender fish is easily recognizable by its vibrant blue streak and energetic behavior. In the wild, it is often found in the Indo-Pacific region, where it plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of reef communities by removing parasites from larger fish.
Details
- Recommended minimum tank volume
- 75 liter (20 gallons)
- Salinity
- S.G. 1.020 to 1.025
- Temperature
- 24 to 28 °C (75 to 82 °F)
- Acidity
- pH 8.1 to 8.4
- Average size
- 12 cm (5″)
- Care level
- Moderate to easy May nip at fins of other fish
- Diet
- Omnivore Prefers meaty foods, accepts flakes
- Social
- Solo Territorial, best kept alone
- Reefsafe
- No Known to nip at other fish
- Aggression
- Semi aggresive May show aggression to tankmates
- Captive bred
- No
Taxonomy
- KingdomAnimalsAnimalia
- PhylumChordatesChordata
- ClassRay-finned FishesActinopterygii
- OrderPerch-like FishesPerciformes
- FamilyBlenniesBlenniidae
- GenusBluestreak Cleaner WrassePlagiotremus
- SpeciesPiano fangblennyPlagiotremus tapeinosoma (Bleeker, 1857)
- SynonymsAspidontus tapeinosoma (Bleeker, 1857)Macrurrhynchus maroubrae Ogilby, 1896Petroscirtes tapeinosoma Bleeker, 1857Petroskirtes tapeinosoma Bleeker, 1857Runula tapeinosoma (Bleeker, 1857)
Care
In the aquarium, the Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse requires a well-established system with plenty of live rock to mimic its natural habitat and provide hiding places. This species is known for its cleaning behavior and can be seen actively offering its services to other fish in the tank. It is essential to have a diverse community of fish to ensure the wrasse has enough 'clients' to clean, which is a significant part of its diet. Supplemental feeding with small meaty foods like mysis shrimp and finely chopped seafood is also necessary to keep them well-nourished.
Reproduction
Breeding Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasses in captivity is challenging and rarely successful. In the wild, they exhibit complex mating rituals and are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning they can change from female to male during their lifetime. Understanding their reproductive behavior is crucial for any attempts at captive breeding.
Symbiosis
The Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse is famous for its mutualistic relationship with a wide variety of fish species. By feeding on the ectoparasites and dead skin of their 'clients', they provide a valuable cleaning service, which is often signaled by a special dance. This interaction reduces stress and disease in the fish being cleaned and provides the wrasse with a steady food source.
Habitat
This species is typically found in coral-rich areas of the reef, often at cleaning stations where they wait for fish to come for cleaning. They are distributed across the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the central Pacific Ocean.