Blue Streak Cleaner Wrasse - Labroides dimidiatus

The Blue Streak Cleaner Wrasse is a small, vibrant fish well-known for its unique symbiotic relationship with other marine species. Its striking blue coloration and remarkable cleaning behavior make it a fascinating addition to a saltwater aquarium, especially for aquarists interested in fostering a natural, reef-like ecosystem.

Description:

• Common Name: Blue Streak Cleaner Wrasse

• Scientific Name: Labroides dimidiatus

• Family: Labridae

• Size: Up to 4 inches (10 cm)

• Coloration: This wrasse features a striking electric blue body with a bold black stripe running along its side, from the mouth to the tail. The bright blue streak gives it a vibrant and eye-catching appearance, making it a popular choice for display tanks.

Native Region:

The Blue Streak Cleaner Wrasse is found in the Indo-Pacific region, including areas like the Red Sea, Indonesia, and the Great Barrier Reef. It typically inhabits coral reefs and shallow waters where it performs cleaning services for other fish.

Aquarium Setup:

• Tank Size: Minimum 50 gallons, though a larger tank is preferred, especially if you plan to keep multiple cleaner fish or a mixed-species setup.

• Substrate: It is a reef-safe fish that prefers a sandy or rocky substrate to create hiding spots and nooks, though it is more active in the water column.

• Live Rock: Ample live rock should be provided for shelter and for the fish to “clean” other fish and invertebrates naturally. Live rock also supports a diverse microfauna population, which can help sustain the wrasse’s diet.

Water Parameters:

• Temperature: 72-78°F (22-26°C)

• pH: 8.1-8.4

• Salinity: 1.023-1.025 specific gravity

• Hardness: 8-12 dKH

Care Level:

• Difficulty: Moderate to advanced. While hardy, the Blue Streak Cleaner Wrasse can be sensitive to changes in water quality and requires a stable, well-maintained environment to thrive. Additionally, its cleaning behavior makes it susceptible to being bullied by larger, more aggressive fish.

• Diet: Omnivorous, but its diet is specialized. In the wild, it feeds on parasites, dead skin, and mucus from larger fish. In the aquarium, it may accept high-quality frozen foods, such as mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and finely chopped marine flesh. However, it’s essential to offer live foods and small pellets designed for cleaner fish to replicate its natural feeding habits.

• Behavior: The Blue Streak Cleaner Wrasse is peaceful, active, and social, often seen interacting with other fish by cleaning them of parasites. It can be a bit shy at first but will become more outgoing once it adjusts to its environment.

Reef Compatibility:

• Reef-Safe: Yes, it is generally reef-safe. However, care should be taken when introducing it to a tank with very small or delicate fish, as the cleaner wrasse may try to “clean” them, which can cause stress. It is essential to ensure that the fish in your tank are large enough to benefit from the wrasse’s cleaning behavior.

Tank Mates:

• Suitable Companions: The Blue Streak Cleaner Wrasse does well in community tanks with other peaceful fish. It often pairs with other species, especially larger fish that benefit from cleaning. It can be kept alongside tangs, triggers, and other docile species, as long as the tankmates are not too aggressive.

• Avoid: Aggressive or territorial fish, particularly those that may target or intimidate the wrasse. Wrasses may also be vulnerable to predation by large predatory fish.

Additional Tips:

• Cleaning Behavior: One of the key features of the Blue Streak Cleaner Wrasse is its cleaning behavior. It will often set up a “cleaning station” in the tank, where it actively cleans other fish of parasites and dead skin. It’s an essential part of maintaining a healthy marine ecosystem, as it helps to keep other tank inhabitants free from parasites.

• Feeding Needs: Ensure the wrasse has a variety of live foods, such as shrimp and other meaty offerings, to replicate its natural diet of parasites. Supplement with other high-quality frozen foods and pellets.

• Tank Setup: Provide plenty of hiding spots and live rock to encourage natural behaviors and provide refuge from any potential stress or bullying.