Blue streak cleaner wrasse

Biology

Blue streak cleaner wrasses can be found in all coral reef habitats. As its name indicates, this fish cleans the bodies of other fish, removing parasites, on which it feeds. Thus a mutual relationship is established, in which both individuals benefit. It is common to observe them in what look like true cleaning stations, occupied by a dominant male and his harem of females or by a pair of adults and a group of juveniles. If a male disappears, one of the females will replace him, by changing into a male.

Conservation

The major threat to this species is habitat degradation.

Curiosities

At the cleaning stations, a new visitor is usually greeted by dance-like movements with the tail manoeuvring the back part of the body up and down.