Bluestreak cleaner wrasse

The bluestreak cleaner wrasse is a small reef fish in the family Labridae, widespread across the Indo-Pacific. It is instantly recognizable by its slender body marked with a bold black stripe running from snout to tail, set against pale blue and white, brightening toward the rear. This species is famous for its cleaning behavior, setting up stations where larger fish queue to have parasites and dead tissue removed from skin, gills, and mouth. It is generally peaceful and can be kept singly or as a mated pair. It is a challenging aquarium fish because it relies heavily on the parasites and mucus of tank mates for food; in captivity it often struggles to accept prepared foods and may slowly starve. It is best suited to large, well-stocked reef systems with abundant fish, and its collection is discouraged given its ecological importance on wild reefs.