ExploreFish

Cleaner Wrasse

Labroides dimidiatus

Cleaner wrasses are small fish that help other fish by cleaning parasites off their bodies. They have bright colors and move quickly around coral reefs.

Habitat: Coral reefs

Appearance

The Cleaner Wrasse has an elongated body with a vibrant blue anterior, fading to a darker blue or black posterior. A distinct black stripe runs from its snout, through its eye, to its pointed tail, often bordered by a bright blue dorsal stripe. This striking pattern makes it easily identifiable among reef fish.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassTeleosteiOrderEupercaria incertae sedisFamilyLabridaeGenusLabroides

Cleaner Wrasse

Interesting facts

Other fish will line up for their turn at a Cleaner Wrasse's 'cleaning station'!

Some Cleaner Wrasse are born female and can change into males later in life!

They can clean the inside of a huge shark's mouth without being eaten!

They're so important that if they disappear, other reef fish get sick!

Special abilities

Cleaner Wrasse can meticulously remove parasites and dead skin from other fish, helping maintain reef health.

Cleaner Wrasse has a special 'dance' to signal its cleaning intentions, building trust with larger, predatory fish.

Cleaner Wrasse can swim inside the mouths and gills of large predators without being eaten, thanks to its helpful cleaning role.

Measurements & details

Length: 5-12 cm
Weight: 0.005-0.02 kg
Lifespan: 2-4 years
Swim Speed: 7 km/h
Max Depth: 40 m
Water Type: Saltwater

Diet & Feeding

Tiny parasites and dead skin are a Cleaner Wrasse's favorite healthy meal!

Primary Foods

Ectoparasites
Dead skin
Mucus

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

symbiotic with

Giant Moray Eel

Gymnothorax javanicus

Removes parasites from its mouth and gills.

symbiotic with

Napoleon Wrasse

Cheilinus undulatus

Cleans external parasites and dead scales off its body.

symbiotic with

Blacktip Reef Shark

Carcharhinus melanopterus

Even cleans the skin and gills of reef sharks.

Traits

Social

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Colorful

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Piscivorous

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Symbiotic

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Tool Use

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Keystone Species

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Speedster

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Aquatic

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Marine

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