Cleaner Wrasse
Cleaner Wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus)
The Cleaner Wrasse is a slender, active reef fish best known for its fascinating natural behavior — setting up “cleaning stations” where it removes parasites and dead tissue from other fish. With its black horizontal stripe running from snout to tail and shimmering blue body, this fish adds both beauty and unique activity to a reef or fish-only setup.
In the wild, Cleaner Wrasses play an important ecological role, and in captivity they often continue to clean willing tankmates. They are best kept in mature, well-stocked systems where they can receive frequent feedings.
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Scientific Name: Labroides dimidiatus
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Temperament: Peaceful
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Reef Safe: Yes
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Diet: Carnivore — requires a varied diet of enriched frozen mysis, brine shrimp, finely chopped seafood, and high-quality marine pellets
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Care Level: Moderate to Difficult — best for experienced aquarists
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Max Size: ~5 inches
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Tank Size: 55+ gallons
Note: While these wrasses may clean other fish, they cannot survive on that alone in an aquarium. They require multiple small feedings per day to maintain health and weight. Not recommended for small or sparsely stocked systems.
