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Blackspot cleaner wrasse (Labroides pectoralis) — Labridae

Blackspot cleaner wrasse

Labroides pectoralis
Family: Labridae

The Blackspot cleaner wrasse (Labroides pectoralis) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
11 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The blackspot cleaner wrasse is a small cleaner wrasse (Labridae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 11 cm and has a yellowish body with a black longitudinal band and a dark spot at the pectoral-fin base. At fixed 'cleaning stations' on coral reefs it removes parasites, dead tissue and mucus from larger fish, which wait patiently to be serviced. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blackspot cleaner wrasse?

The Blackspot cleaner wrasse has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Blackspot cleaner wrasse live?

The Blackspot cleaner wrasse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Blackspot cleaner wrasse get?

The Blackspot cleaner wrasse grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Blackspot cleaner wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackspot cleaner wrasse is harmless to humans.

Is the Blackspot cleaner wrasse edible?

Yes, the Blackspot cleaner wrasse is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwartstip-poetslipvis sourced
English name
Blackspot cleaner wrasse sourced
Scientific name
Labroides pectoralis
Family
Labridae
Other names
Black-spot cleaner wrasse; Breastspot cleaner wrasse; Breastspot cleanerfish; Cleaner wrasse; False bluestreak wrasse verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Labroides

More from the family Labridae

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