Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus)
• Small fish safe: ✅ Yes
• Small invert safe: ✅ Yes
• Coral safe: ✅ Yes
• Minimum tank size: 189 liters (50 gallons)
• Adult size: Up to 14 cm (5.5 inches)
• Diet: Primarily feeds on ectoparasites and dead tissue from other fish.
• Be aware of: May not thrive in captivity due to specialized diet; requires a well-established tank with a diverse fish population; known to jump, so a secure lid is essential.
Appearance and Coloration
The Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse has a slender, elongated body with a striking coloration:
• Body Color: Predominantly blue with a bold black stripe running laterally from the snout through the eye to the tail.
• Fins: Transparent pectoral and pelvic fins; dorsal and anal fins share the blue coloration of the body.
• Mimic Species: This species is often mimicked by Aspidontus taeniatus, the False Cleanerfish, which resembles it but bites other fish rather than cleaning them.
Natural Habitat and Behavior
The Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse is widespread across the Indo-Pacific region, inhabiting coral reefs at depths of up to 40 meters. They are most commonly found in cleaning stations, where they establish territories and provide cleaning services to other fish by removing parasites, dead tissue, and mucus.
They exhibit mutualistic behavior, meaning both they and their “clients” benefit from the cleaning process. They are known to perform a distinctive “dance” to attract fish to their cleaning stations.
Juveniles tend to be more dedicated to cleaning than adults, which may shift towards opportunistic feeding.
Tank Requirements and Water Parameters
• Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons (189 liters)
• Temperature: 24°C – 28°C (75°F – 82°F)
• pH: 8.1 – 8.4
• Specific Gravity: 1.020 – 1.025
• Aquascaping: Plenty of open swimming space and rock formations to mimic natural cleaning stations.
• Water Movement: Moderate to strong, simulating natural reef conditions.
• Lighting: Moderate to high lighting preferred.
This species requires a stable and mature aquarium to thrive. Since they rely on live interactions with other fish, they are best suited to tanks with an active community.
Diet and Feeding
Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasses have a highly specialized diet:
• Primary Food: Ectoparasites, dead skin, and mucus removed from larger fish.
• Captive Feeding: May accept frozen foods such as:
• Mysis shrimp
• Brine shrimp
• Finely chopped seafood
• High-protein pellets or flakes
• Enriched vitamin supplements
Caution: Many individuals refuse to eat prepared foods, leading to starvation in captivity. If not accepting food, they may need to be housed with fish that require cleaning to provide a natural food source.
Compatibility and Social Structure
• Social Structure: Can be kept singly or in bonded pairs. Groups are possible in large tanks but may lead to aggression.
• Temperament: Generally peaceful and beneficial to tank mates but may become aggressive toward conspecifics.
• Compatible Tank Mates: Best kept with larger reef-safe fish that will accept cleaning services.
• Caution With: Extremely small, timid fish that may be harassed by overzealous cleaning behavior.
Important Considerations
• Reef Compatibility: Completely reef-safe; does not harm corals or invertebrates.
• Acclimation: Requires slow and careful acclimation; sensitive to poor water quality.
• Jumping Behavior: Known to jump, so a secure tank lid is necessary.
• Captive Success Rate: Many individuals do not adapt well to captivity due to their diet. Consider alternatives like Neon Gobies (Elacatinus spp.) for a similar cleaning role.
With proper care, the Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse can be a fascinating and beneficial addition to a reef aquarium. However, due to its feeding challenges, it is best suited for experienced aquarists with an established system and compatible tank mates.