Care Level: Advanced
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
General Description: The Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse, also known simply as just “the” Cleaner Wrasse, are found across the Indo-Pacific. While some individuals from Africa and the Maldives are considered hardier or more adaptable to aquarium life, the Cleaner wrasse is a species best left to the more expert aquarist. In the wild, the Cleaner wrasse is known for setting up cleaning stations. To do this, they invite prospective subjects with a display of pumping their tail up and down. Any species with the willingness to be cleaned will soon then be relieved of their parasite load by the Cleaner wrasse. This is known as a mutualistic relationship because the Cleaner wrasse gets a meal while their clients get a health boost. This behavior should be expected in the home aquarium and not all fish want to be cleaned, so the Cleaner wrasse could be viewed as a nuisance by some. An adult Cleaner wrasse can reach a size of approximately 5″. Note: This species is not a solution to eradicate a major ich outbreak in your aquarium. Cleaner wrasse can be sensitive to copper-based medications.
Diet Requirements: The Cleaner wrasse is an incredibly active species and therefore, requires a top notch diet in order to maintain optimal health and longevity. One meal a day is not adequate enough for a Cleaner wrasse given their diet in the wild, where they feed and clean fish throughout the day. A carnivore, a diet consisting of various meaty preparations such as brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, pieces of mussel or clam, and other mixed frozen foods that contain algae, such as spirulina, are good options. Fresh pieces of seafood can also be offered. We highly encourage soaking frozen foods in vitamin and fatty acid supplements, as wrasses tend to have very high metabolisms. A Cleaner wrasse may also accept high quality flake or pellet foods, which is great for nutritional gaps and variety, however these should not make up more than 20% of their diet.
Care Requirements: An established, minimum 90 gallon aquarium is needed for a Cleaner wrasse. A tight fitting lid is a must because this wrasse might jump out of an aquarium. Cleaner wrasses enjoy a variety of rock work and crevices to swim through and around, but make sure to leave a lot of open swimming space because this species is very agile and active. The aquarium should also have good water movement and ample oxygen. Multiple Cleaner wrasses can be kept together, but all individuals should be added into the aquarium at the same time for the best chance of success in getting along. Compatibility with other wrasses is unknown, but likely can work in a large enough aquarium. Recommended water conditions, 72-78° F, KH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025.
Purchase Size: Small: 1-1/2″ to 2″; Medium: 2″ to 3″; Large: 3″ to 4″
Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase sizes are approximate.
