Facts, Information, photos and pictures of the Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse

Scientific Name:

Labroides phthirophagus.

Other Common Names:

None known.

Distribution:

Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands.

Description:

This Wrasse has an elongated, compressed body. The head is tapering and bears a pointed snout with a small mouth and thick lips. It is a Wrasse species that is small, only reaching an average length of about 3.5 inches. It has bright neon purple, black and yellow colors as an adult, and black with neon purple stripe as a juvenile.

Characteristics and Compatibility:

Most Wrasses burrow into the sand at night. This species usually forms a balloon-like, mucous cocoon, and spends the night resting within it, but will burrow as well.

The name given to this fish explains exactly what it's function is, it "cleans" other fish, ridding them of parasites. When you are swimming the reef you will come across "cleaning stations" where you find other reef fish stopped for the Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse to pick them over to remove any parasites they may have on their bodies or in their gills.

Diet and Feeding:

Because the Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse's diet is mainly derived from its symbiotic relationship with other fish by eating parasites, this Wrasse does not do well in captivity. It is extremely difficult to get this fish to eat any other types of foods, and once the parasite food population is gone it results in poor health, and most likely death for the Wrasse.

Reef Tank Suitability:

This fish is not recommended for an aquarium. It is extremely difficult to get it to adapt to tank fed foods.