Cleaner Wrasse

Labroides dimidiatus


(0 Reviews)

Cleaner Wrasse

Cleaner Wrasse

Labroides dimidiatus


(0 Reviews)

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Cleaner Wrasse Care Facts

Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Carnivore
Reef Safe: Yes
Minimum Tank Size: 50 Gallons
Max Size: 5 inches
The Cleaner Wrasse, Labroides dimidiatus, is a abundant wrasse species found all around the Indo-Pacific Ocean region. It featues a slender blue body with silvery streaks. They are among the most popular wrasse species for their unique ability to help "clean" other, larger fish in a symbiotic relationship. Sometimes the Cleaner Wrasse can actually be observed "dancing" in the tank in an effort to attract fish to work together with. 
The Cleaner Wrasse is a reef safe, peaceful, and hardy making it great for almost any home aquarium. They can sometimes be finicky during feeding but will take a varied carnivorous diet on top of its natural cleansing diet. Tanks should be at least 50 gallons with plenty of live rock and a tightly sealed lid to prevent escapes.
  

The Helpful Cleaner Wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus): A Valuable Asset for Saltwater Aquariums

The Helpful Cleaner Wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus) is a fascinating and beneficial species that adds charm and utility to saltwater aquariums. Known for its vibrant colors and unique behavior, this wrasse species has become a sought-after choice among marine enthusiasts. Let's explore the Cleaner Wrasse's habitat, reef-safe nature, size, lifespan, diet, aquaculture options, compatibility, cleaning activity, suitable tank mates, tank requirements, other common names, and compatible tank mates.

Habitat of the Cleaner Wrasse

The Cleaner Wrasse is commonly found in the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region, including the Red Sea and the western and central Pacific Ocean. In the wild, they inhabit coral reefs and rocky areas with ample hiding spots and cleaning stations.

Reef-Safe Nature of the Cleaner Wrasse

The Cleaner Wrasse is entirely reef-safe and poses no threat to corals or other invertebrates. On the contrary, they play a crucial role in maintaining the health of the reef ecosystem by removing parasites and dead skin from the bodies of larger fish.

Size and Lifespan of the Cleaner Wrasse

Cleaner Wrasse are relatively small, typically reaching lengths of about 2.5 to 3.5 inches (6.5 to 9 cm). With proper care, they can have a lifespan of up to six years in a well-maintained aquarium.

Diet and Feeding Habits of the Cleaner Wrasse

In their natural habitat, Cleaner Wrasse are specialized cleaners, feeding on parasites, dead skin, and mucus from the bodies of other fish. In a home aquarium, they will accept a varied diet consisting of high-quality frozen and live foods such as brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and marine pellets.

Aquaculture Options for the Cleaner Wrasse

The Cleaner Wrasse is available in the aquarium trade, but captive-bred specimens are less common than wild-caught individuals. Breeding and rearing them in captivity can be challenging, so aquaculture options for this species are limited.

Compatibility of the Cleaner Wrasse

Cleaner Wrasse are generally peaceful and sociable, making them compatible with many tank mates. However, they may be aggressive towards other wrasse species or fish with similar body shapes, as they see them as potential competitors for their cleaning services.

Cleaning Activity of the Cleaner Wrasse

In the aquarium, Cleaner Wrasse will often set up cleaning stations where larger fish visit to have parasites and dead skin removed. This unique and beneficial behavior is fascinating to observe and enhances the overall health of the tank's inhabitants.

Suitable Tank Mates for the Cleaner Wrasse

  • Peaceful gobies (e.g., watchman or neon gobies) for a dynamic and captivating display.
  • Firefish (Nemateleotris magnifica) share a compatible tank environment with the Cleaner Wrasse.
  • Certain species of cardinalfish are compatible tank mates that add diversity and activity to the aquarium.
  • Some species of blennies are suitable tank mates that add personality and character to the tank.
  • Certain species of damsels can coexist with the Cleaner Wrasse in a larger aquarium.

In conclusion, the Helpful Cleaner Wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus) is a valuable and engaging asset for saltwater aquariums. Its unique behavior as a cleaner and compatibility with various tank mates make it a popular choice among marine enthusiasts. Aquarists can enjoy the beauty and usefulness of these remarkable wrasses in their aquariums by providing them with a suitable environment, compatible tank mates, and proper care.

Super fun to watch!


Reviewed by: Lesley Maupin on Sept. 29, 2024

Healthy, nice size


Reviewed by: Eva Vinther on Sept. 29, 2024

Loves cleaning my butterfly fish


Reviewed by: Jim Hauck on Sept. 11, 2024


Reviewed by: Richie Arocho on Sept. 4, 2024

Active and eating


Reviewed by: Anthony Little on Aug. 7, 2024

Very vibrant got to work right a way


Reviewed by: Kimberly Brogan on July 23, 2024


Reviewed by: Nipong Vang on July 21, 2024

Very nice. Eats frozen from the first day


Reviewed by: Bradley Lockwood on June 15, 2024


Reviewed by: Maria Robles on May 12, 2024

Excellent


Reviewed by: David Grass on April 9, 2024


Reviewed by: Robert Pilny on March 26, 2024

Looks good


Reviewed by: Shaun Huddleston on March 20, 2024


Reviewed by: Wilfredo Castillo on March 13, 2024


Reviewed by: Jason Salyer on March 13, 2024


Reviewed by: Joseph Valvano on March 12, 2024

Great fish very active


Reviewed by: Anthony Little on March 6, 2024


Reviewed by: Joshua Staats on Feb. 27, 2024

Immediately started cleaning my other fish that had been in the tank.


Reviewed by: Russell Hoyt on Feb. 1, 2024

Great size and both were very healthy. They are still doing well, though I have not been able to get them to eat yet that is common with these fish. Their colors are amazing too.


Reviewed by: Meghan Devine on Jan. 24, 2024

Large... Healthy.. Very happy


Reviewed by: Greg Palandech on Dec. 13, 2023


Reviewed by: Bob Lentner on Dec. 10, 2023

Nice


Reviewed by: Anthony Little on Dec. 7, 2023


Reviewed by: Juan Torres on Nov. 5, 2023

Fun to watch clean the other fish


Reviewed by: Jeffrey Caton on Oct. 16, 2023

Was cleaning my threadfin butterfly and coral beauty within hours very cool little fish


Reviewed by: Brian Boyle on Sept. 6, 2023


Reviewed by: Daniel Lucero on Aug. 20, 2023


Reviewed by: Louis Burrill on Aug. 20, 2023


Reviewed by: Tommy Mislenkov on Aug. 15, 2023

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