Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
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Labroides

Labroides pectoralis

Randall & Springer, 1975

Blackspot/False Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse

Likely Reef Tank Suitable

Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Cocos-Keeling Island in the eastern Indian Ocean to Line and Pitcairn Islands, north to Bonin Islands, and south to the Great Barrier Reef.

Size: 4 inches (11 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits lagoons and seaward reefs where it sets up cleaning stations usually near major coral growths, and usually found at depths between 6 – 100 feet (2 – 30 m) where it cleans fishes of skin parasites and will also eat fish scales and fish mucus.

General Husbandry: Occasionally seen in the trade having yellow on the head and a black spot below the pectoral fin.

Usually does not fare well in reef or fish-only aquariums unless there is a large population of fishes willing to be cleaned. May accept some frozen meaty foodstuffs, such as adult brine shrimp and/or live fortified adult brine shrimp.

Taxonomy:

    Order: Perciformes

    Suborder: Labroidei

    Family: Labridae

    Genus: Labroides

FYI: Will annoy tankmates.

May jump out of uncovered aquariums.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Temperament: Bothersome

Diet: Carnivore

Coral Safe: Yes

Fish Safe: With caution

Invertebrate Safe: With caution

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Tankmates: Peaceful

Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallons

Temperature Range: 74 - 82°F (23 – 27°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5

 Labroides pectoralis (Blackspot/False Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse)
Photo © Hiroyuki Tanaka
Site Supported in Part by:
RedSea