Blackspot Cleaner Wrasse

Appearance

Black spot on lower edge of pectoral fin base, white chest, front half of body with variable colour, usually red or yellow, rear of body and tail black, tail with light blue margin, and stripe from snout through eye which merges with back rear body.
Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-12; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 9 - 11. Identified by the mostly yellow head and black spot below the pectoral fin base (Ref. 48636). Scales on lateral line: 28 (+2 past hypural). Max. length:11 cm.

Distribution

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

Behavior

Occur solitarily or in pairs. Creates 'cleaning ' stations to which fishes come to have crustacean ectoparasites and mucus removed.

Habitat

Inhabits coral-rich areas of seaward and clear lagoon reefs. Depth range 2 - 30 m.

Reproduction

Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding.