Marine Life

Cleaner wrasse

Theyofulhi mas

Labroides dimidiatus

Unlike L. bicolor (previous page), Labroides dimidiatus not only enters the mouths and gill chambers of some of the larger host fishes in its cleaning operations, but also establishes "cleaning stations" on the reef to which host fishes come for its services.

Details

§ 01

size: Max. 11.5 cm
color: Adults light blue, shading to pale yellowish or white anteriorly, with a black stripe from snout through eye to rear edge of caudal fin. This stripe is progressively broader posteriorly. Juveniles largely black with a narrow bright blue stripe on back which continues onto dorsal part of head.
order: Perciformes
family: Labridae
image url: https://assets.explore.mv/fishes/labroides-dimidiatus.png
habitat and biology: This species is commonly found on upper reef slopes at depths of up to 40 meters. It feeds on the crustacean ectoparasites (and mucus) of other fish. Ectoparasites are parasites that live on the outside of the host's body, while mucus is a slimy substance produced by some animals.
distinctive characters: This fish has a dorsal fin with nine spines and ten to eleven rays, an anal fin with three spines and ten rays, a pectoral fin with thirteen rays, a body depth of four point one to four point seven in standard length, small scales on its cheek, opercle and nape, thick lips with the lower one strongly bi-lobed, and a caudal fin that is truncate to slightly rounded.