Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse

Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse

Description of the Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse
The Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse is also known as the Louse Eating Wrasse or Cleaner Wrasse. As its name suggests, its job is to remove parasites from other fish. It can be identified by its vibrant yellow and purple coloring and its dancing like motion through the water as it swims. It is not recommended for the aquarium environment as it is difficult to feed.

Profile of the Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse
This Profile contains interesting facts and information about the Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse species.

• Size: Up to 12cm

• Fish Tank conditions: PH 8.1 to 8.4

• Diet / Feeding: Dried, Flaked or Frozen Marine Food

• Temperament: Passive, Good addition to community tank

• Habitat: Marine Reef Dwellers at depths of up to 90m

• Behaviour: Cleans parasites from other fish

• Range: Eastern Central Pacific, Hawaiian and Johnston Islands

Scientific Classification of the Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse
Definition: Scientific classification, or biological classification, is how biologists group and categorize species of organisms with shared physical characteristics. Scientific classification belongs to the science of taxonomy.

• Species: Labroides phthirophagus

• Popular Name: Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse - Louse Eating Wrasse - Cleaner Wrasse - Cleaner Royal Wrasse

• Kingdom: Animalia

• Phylum: Chordata

• Class: Actinopterygii

• Order: Perciformes

• Family: Labridae

Interesting Facts and Information - How do you identify the sex of a Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse?
The males and females of many fish species have different colors or different shaped bodies. But there are also other fish species where there is no visible difference. Its sometimes tricky being an ichthyologist!

Interesting Facts and Information - Why are Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse slimy?
Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse secrete a type of mucus, or slime, from their skin. This slime provides protection against parasites and infections and helps the Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse to move through the water faster. Some fish species also release toxins in their slime which ward off enemy attacks. Other fish species use their slime to feed their young.

Interesting Facts and Information - Why do Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse have gills?
Gills enable the Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse to breathe. Gills consist of thin sheets of tissue containing blood vessels. As water passes over the gills oxygen is absorbed into the blood stream Carbon dioxide passes out into the water. The gills are protected by a large bony plate called an operculum. Some fish species however have lungs and breathe air.

Interesting Facts and Information - Why do the Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse have fins?
A fin is an external appendage or "limb" of a fish. Fins are used for directing, stabilizing, or propelling the different fish species in water. Numbers of fins vary between fish species, but there are usually seven. Each of the fins on a fish are designed to perform a specific function:

• Dorsal fins - The dorsal fin is located on the backs of fishes. The Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse has Dorsal fins to lend stability in swimming.

• Ventral fins. The ventral fin is located on the pelvic area of fishes. The Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse has Ventral fins to lend stability in swimming.

• Caudal fins. The Caudal fin is located on the tail area of fishes. The Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse has Caudal fins to propel through the water.

• Pectoral fins. The Pectoral fin is located on the breast area of fishes. The Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse has Pectoral fins to for locomotion and side to side movement

Interesting Facts and Information about Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse