The Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus) is an ecologically vital marine fish belonging to the family Labridae.

Distribution and Habitat

Indo-Pacific from the Red Sea to the western Pacific, widespread throughout coral reef environments from shallow reef flats to outer slopes.

Physical Description

Features a slim body with a blue-black horizontal stripe and a black spot on the caudal peduncle.

Diet and Feeding

Feeds on parasites and dead tissue of larger fish in a specialized mutualistic relationship, but can be acclimated to prepared frozen foods in established aquariums.

Behavior and Reproduction

A renowned cleaner fish that runs cleaning stations visited by client fish. It is a protogynous hermaphrodite where sex reversal is possible if the dominant male is lost.

Aquarium Care

Requires 30+ gallons and is completely reef-safe. It may starve in tanks without enough fish to clean or without training to prepared foods, making it best suited for large, established aquariums.

Conservation Status

Classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List.