Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
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Labroides

Labroides phthirophagus

Randall, 1958

Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse

Likely Reef Tank Suitable

Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable

Range: Central Pacific Ocean: Hawaiian and Johnston Islands.

Size: 5 inches (12 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits various reef zones where they set up cleaning stations and usually found at depths between 3 – 300 feet (1 – 90 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 forward body, with a brownish black line beginning on the snout and turning into a wide deep purple wedge on the aft body and extending onto the tail, with its top and bottom lobes edged in bright purple.

Usually does not fare well in 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: ul>

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Labroidei

Family: Labridae

Genus: Labroides

FYI: Will annoy tankmates.

May jump out of uncovered aquariums.

Sleeps in a mucous cocoon at night.

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 phthirophagus (Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse)
Photo © Bob Fenner
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Ocean Nutrition