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Cleaner Fish
ExploreFish
Cleaner Fish
Labroides dimidiatus
Cleaner fish are helpful underwater friends that clean other fish by eating parasites and dead skin. They have special jobs in keeping fish healthy and happy in the ocean.
Habitat: Marine
Appearance
The Cleaner Fish has a slender, torpedo-shaped body with a vibrant blue-purple front and a distinct black stripe running from its snout to its tail. Its tail fin is typically clear or yellowish, making it easily recognizable on the reef.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassTeleosteiOrderPerciformesFamilyLabridaeGenusLabroides
Category
FishRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
A single cleaner fish can inspect and clean over 2,000 "client" fish daily!
Other fish recognize their unique 'dance' and line up patiently for a good clean.
They clean inside the mouths of sharks and giant groupers without being eaten!
They even eat tiny parasites, dead skin, and mucus right off other fish!
Special abilities
Ability
Parasite Picker
Cleaner Fish can remove harmful parasites from other fish because they have specialized mouths and a unique feeding strategy.
Ability
Trust Builder
Cleaner Fish has a distinctive 'dance' that helps them signal their cleaning intentions to much larger, predatory fish clients.
Ability
Immunity Shield
Cleaner Fish can eat parasites and dead skin from other fish without getting sick because they are adapted to consume these items safely.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 5-14 cm
- Weight
- 0.005-0.02 kg
- Lifespan
- 2-4 years
- Swim Speed
- 1.5 km/h
- Maximum Depth
- 40 m
- Water Type
- Saltwater
Diet & Feeding
They eat tiny parasites, dead skin, and mucus from other fish, providing a helpful cleaning service.
Primary Foods
- fish parasites
- dead skin
- fish mucus
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
symbiotic with
Convict Tang
Acanthurus triostegus
receives parasite removal
symbiotic with
Brown-marbled Grouper
Epinephelus fuscoguttatus
receives parasite removal
symbiotic with
Emperor Angelfish
Pomacanthus imperator
receives parasite removal
Traits
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Filter Feeder
Filter feeders obtain nutrients by straining suspended food particles and small organisms from water.
Piscivorous
Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish.
Symbiotic
Describes a relationship between two different species where they live in close association, often benefiting one or both.
Keystone Species
Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.
Aquatic
Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
Marine
Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life.
Also known as
Labroides
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Watch cleaner fish from a safe distance and never disturb them while they work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Cleaner Fish?
5-14 cm
How much does Cleaner Fish weigh?
0.005-0.02 kg
How long does Cleaner Fish live?
2-4 years
What does Cleaner Fish eat?
They eat tiny parasites, dead skin, and mucus from other fish, providing a helpful cleaning service.
How fast can Cleaner Fish swim?
1.5 km/h
Where is Cleaner Fish usually found?
Marine
How does Cleaner Fish hunt?
Foraging
How deep can Cleaner Fish go?
40 m
Snap Map
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