Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Widespread in the tropical Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa to French Polynesia. Establishes 'cleaning stations' on coral reefs at depths from 1 to 40 meters.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Type species of the genus Labroides. Features a very slender, cylindrical body with a narrow terminal mouth adapted to pluck small ectoparasites. Reaches a maximum length of 11 cm (4.3 inches).

Social Behavior: Peaceful and hyperactive. Establishes a station where other fish (including large predators) visit to be cleaned. Sleeps in a protective mucus cocoon in rock cavities.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Bright light blue body fading to yellow-white on the head, with a thick black horizontal band running from snout to tail, widening at the back. No visible sexual dimorphism.

Aquarium Setup: Requires a mature tank of at least 300 liters. The tank must have a high population of fish to provide natural cleaning opportunities. A tight lid is essential as they are active jumpers.

Diet and Feeding: Obligate cleaner. Feeds on ectoparasites (Gnathid isopods) and mucus. In aquaria, they must be trained to eat fine high-protein frozen foods (cyclops, baby brine shrimp) and small pellets multiple times daily.

Water Quality: Demands high water quality: temperature 24-26°C (75-79°F), pH 8.1-8.4, specific gravity 1.022-1.025, GH 15-25, and KH 8-12.

Compatibility and Cohabitation: 100% reef-safe. Accepted by almost all fish, even large predators. However, they can severely stress small or shy tankmates by relentlessly trying to clean them.

Aquarium Breeding: Unrecorded in home aquaria. They are pelagic spawners, releasing eggs into open currents.

Risks and Diseases: Very high mortality rate due to starvation if housed in small or understocked systems. Sensitive to sudden temperature changes.