Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus)

This fish is found in coral rich areas of inner lagoons, reef flats and seaward reefs of the Indo-Pacific from the Red Sea and East Africa to the Line and Marquesan islands, north to southern Japan and south to the Rapa islands.

These fish feed on crustaceans, ectoparasites and mucus of other fishes, setting up “cleaning stations” where a host fish may linger and have these wrasses pick off unwanted ectoparasites. This type of relationship where both parties benefit is called a symbiotic relationship. The wrasse benefits by having food delivered and the host fish benefits from being rid of unwanted parasites.

Cleaning stations are often a mated pair of adults, a group of juveniles or a group of females with one dominant male, though it is not uncommon to see a solitary, territorial adult.

Come and watch this amazing bit of nature right before your eyes.