Red Sea Cleaner Wrasse

Description

Red Sea Cleaner Wrasse, Larabicus quadrilineatus, are adorable fish, that also go by the name Four Lined Wrasse. They are dark blue in colour and have a pointed snout. A pair of dazzling neon blue stripes decorate both sides of the fish.

Red Sea Cleaner Wrasse, Larabicus quadrilineatus, Ecology:

These fish live in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, in the West Indian Ocean. Red Sea Cleaner Wrasse live on the edges of coral reefs. They swim around in loose groups, darting amongst the coral branches, or other places they hold as cleaning stations.

As juveniles, these fish have a mutualistic relationship with its neighbours on the reef. As the name suggests, Red Sea Cleaner Wrasse feed on small parasitic crustaceans that they pick off the bodies of larger fish. They signal their availability as a cleaner by doing a dance. As a result of this behaviour, these fish can be useful to have in a marine tank. We recommend asking a member of staff if pest control is what you are after. As adults these fish will forage for themselves and pick at certain corals. We recommend asking a member of staff if considering getting a red sea wrasse but concerned about coral too.

Red Sea Cleaner Wrasse are also protogynous hermaphrodites. Which means that, when they get old enough, breeding females turn into a male. As a result, all juveniles are immature females.

Four Lined Wrasse In The Aquarium:

It is important to imitate the natural environment and provide plenty of nooks and crannies for the wrasse to hide in. Hobbyists should invest in a jump guard to prevent any unfortunate mishaps.

Red Sea Cleaner Wrasse do best when fed a varied diet. They will accept enriched frozen mysis shrimp and enriched frozen brine shrimp. They will also devour live foods, such as copepods and amphipods, that can be cultivated in attached refugium. Over time they will accept high-quality pellet or flake. We adapt all our wrasse to aquarium life before they leave us. We focus on their health, and most are eating a good quality flake food and/or pellet, such as JBL Maris, before being offered for sale.

The Fish pictured here are representative only and the livestock you receive may vary in pattern, coloration, and shape.