Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse
From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer
Overview
Cleaner wrasses, including this very appealing species, are all obligatory parasite pickers and slime eaters and are virtually guaranteed to starve in the home aquarium. Before wasting away, they may pester tankmates by incessantly attempting to groom their bodies and fins.
Family: Labridae
Other common name(s):
Native range:
Habitat: Reef.
Maximum length: 12 cm (5 in)
Minimum aquarium size: 208 L (55 gal)
Water: Marine 24 °C (75 °F) - 28 °C (82 °F)
General swimming level: All levels.
Feeding
Carnivore. Difficult to feed. It may accept small meaty foods such as Mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, zooplankton.
Aquarium Compatibility
May annoy other fishes by constantly picking at them, hunting for parasites or eating mucus from their skin.
Breeding/Propagation
Not reported. Produce pelagic eggs and larvae.
Notes
The survival rates of cleaner wrasses are so poor that conscientious aquarists shun them and try to discourage their collection and sale.