Cleaner wrasse
Labroides dimidiatus · Labridae
Also known as Bluestreak cleaner wrasse
Advanced
Fascinating but a poor aquarium choice — it depends on parasites from many host fish and often starves.
In short: A cleaner wrasse needs at least 380 L (100 US gal), water at 24–28 °C (75–82 °F) and pH 8.1–8.4. It is peaceful, usually kept singly, and rated advanced to keep.
- Minimum tank
- 380 L (100 US gal)
- Temperature
- 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 11 cm (4.3 in)
- Group size
- 1+
Reef & marine husbandry
- Specific gravity
- 1.023–1.026
- Reef safety
- Reef safe
- With corals
- Reef safe.
- With inverts
- Reef safe.
- Minimum in a mixed reef
- 380 L (100 US gal)
- Minimum fish-only (FOWLR)
- 380 L (100 US gal)
- Aggression
- Harmless; may pester fish that dislike being cleaned.
- Feeding
- Needs several small feeds and a large host population — consider neon gobies instead.
Care requirements
- Minimum tank volume
- 380 L (100 US gal)
- Temperature
- 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Hardness
- 8–12 dGH
- Lifespan
- 2–4 years
- Diet
- Carnivore — parasites and mucus in the wild; hard to convert to prepared food.
- Care level
- Advanced
Origin & habitat
- Native region
- Indo-Pacific
- Water type
- Saltwater
- Biotope
- Reef cleaning stations
- Natural conditions
- Large mature reef with many tank mates.
Behaviour & stocking
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Minimum group
- 1 fish
- Swims
- All levels
- Good tank mates
- TangsAngelsLarge peaceful reef fish
- Avoid
- Small tanksAggressive predators
Breeding & difficulty
- Breeding difficulty
- Advanced
- Sexing
- Protogynous; largest becomes male.
- Notes
- Not bred in captivity.
- Common ailments
- StarvationMarine ich
Will it fit your tank?
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