Does it really clean other fish?

Yes—Cleaner Wrasses are true "cleaner fish" that feed on parasites and dead skin from other fish's bodies. In the aquarium, they set up a "cleaning station" where other fish come to be groomed.

Can it be kept with other fish?

Its peaceful temperament and low aggression make it easy to combine with many saltwater fish. That said, two Cleaner Wrasses in the same tank can fight, so keeping just one per tank is recommended.

What should I feed it?

In the wild it feeds on parasites and mucus from other fish, but in the aquarium it needs to be trained onto prepared and frozen foods. Since individuals vary in how quickly they accept new foods, trying a few options can help it adjust.

Is this a good fish for beginners?

It's generally considered suited to intermediate keepers, since feeding and water quality require some extra attention. It's best kept by those with some prior experience in saltwater fishkeeping.

How big does it get and how long does it live?

It typically lives around 3-5 years and grows to about 8-10cm as an adult. Since it's an active swimmer, choosing a tank with enough room to move is worth considering.

Cleaner Wrasse

The Cleaner Wrasse is a saltwater fish famous for its role as a dedicated "cleaner," feeding on the parasites and dead skin found on other fish. In the aquarium, it sets up its own "cleaning station" among the rocks, where other fish line up to be groomed—a fascinating behavior to watch. With a slender body marked by black and white stripes and a vivid blue line running along its side, it swims actively throughout the tank. Its temperament is peaceful, and it rarely shows aggression toward other fish. As the resident cleaner, it brings extra motion and a bit of storytelling to any reef tank.

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About Cleaner Wrasse

The Cleaner Wrasse is a saltwater fish that grooms parasites from other fish, forming a "cleaning station" in the tank. Peaceful in temperament, it suits intermediate keepers, grows to 8-10cm, and lives around 3-5 years.

7 things to know before welcoming a Cleaner Wrasse

1Feeding on Prepared Foods
In the wild, Cleaner Wrasses live on the parasites and mucus they pick from other fish, but in the aquarium they also need to be trained to eat prepared foods. Some individuals take time to accept flake or pellet food, which is one reason this species is considered better suited to intermediate keepers. Offering frozen foods alongside prepared foods at first can help ease the transition.
2The Cleaning Station Habit
Cleaner Wrasses naturally establish a "cleaning station" in a crevice or among live rock, where they pick parasites and dead skin off other fish that visit. A tank with a varied rock layout that allows space for this kind of station lets you observe this natural behavior more easily.
3Peaceful Nature and Tankmates
Cleaner Wrasses are generally peaceful and rarely aggressive toward other fish, making them easy to combine with many saltwater species. However, two individuals of the same species can fight each other, so it's best to keep just one per tank.
4Jumping Risk and Tight Lids
This fish can jump out of the tank when startled or at night, so a secure, gap-free lid is essential. It also likes to retreat into crevices in the live rock, so providing hiding spots alongside jump prevention measures is important.
5Water Quality and Health
Cleaner Wrasses are relatively sensitive to sudden changes in water quality, which can cause stress or health issues. Regular water changes and stable filtration are important, and any signs of skin issues should be monitored and addressed promptly.
6Preparing the Tank
Setting up a tank with rockwork for hiding and enough open space for swimming before bringing your fish home makes the adjustment period easier. It's best to introduce the fish once the tank has been running long enough for water parameters to stabilize.
7Adult Size and Swimming Space
Adults reach around 8-10cm and are active swimmers, so a tank with reasonable open swimming space lets them display their natural behavior. With a lifespan of roughly 3-5 years, it's worth planning for a long-term companion.

Frequently asked questions about Cleaner Wrasse

Q.Does it really clean other fish?: A.Yes—Cleaner Wrasses are true "cleaner fish" that feed on parasites and dead skin from other fish's bodies. In the aquarium, they set up a "cleaning station" where other fish come to be groomed.
Q.Can it be kept with other fish?: A.Its peaceful temperament and low aggression make it easy to combine with many saltwater fish. That said, two Cleaner Wrasses in the same tank can fight, so keeping just one per tank is recommended.
Q.What should I feed it?: A.In the wild it feeds on parasites and mucus from other fish, but in the aquarium it needs to be trained onto prepared and frozen foods. Since individuals vary in how quickly they accept new foods, trying a few options can help it adjust.
Q.Is this a good fish for beginners?: A.It's generally considered suited to intermediate keepers, since feeding and water quality require some extra attention. It's best kept by those with some prior experience in saltwater fishkeeping.
Q.How big does it get and how long does it live?: A.It typically lives around 3-5 years and grows to about 8-10cm as an adult. Since it's an active swimmer, choosing a tank with enough room to move is worth considering.

Useful tools for Cleaner Wrasse care

💧Aquarium Volume CalculatorCalculate water volume, weight, and heater wattage from tank dimensions 🧪Water Quality CheckerFind compatible fish, shrimp, plants & corals based on pH, temperature & hardness 🍽️Feeding GuideCheck feeding frequency, portion sizes & supplements by species and growth stage 🤝Compatibility CheckerCheck compatibility between two species on a 5-level scale 📊Fish Compatibility MatrixCheck fish compatibility at a glance with our matrix chart 🔄Nitrogen Cycle GuideAuto-calculate bacteria colonization timeline for new tank cycling 🗓️Seasonal Care CalendarMonthly care events and seasonal management tips at a glance 🚿Water Change CalculatorAuto-calculate optimal water change frequency and volume by tank size and fish count 🐠Stocking CalculatorCalculate max fish capacity for your tank size with overstocking alerts 🏞️Tank Layout PlannerGet substrate, plant & hardscape suggestions based on tank size and style 🧮Care Cost SimulatorEstimate initial, monthly & annual costs by category, care level and quantity ⚖️Species Comparison ToolCompare two species side by side: care difficulty, size, lifespan & temperature 🎯Pet Match DiagnosticAnswer 7 questions to find your top 3 perfect pets 🚚Transport Safety CheckerCheck transport safety score and precautions by category, season, method and distance ⏱️Quarantine & Acclimation TimerManage quarantine periods and acclimation steps with countdown timers. Includes recommended durations by species

Learn more about Cleaner Wrasse in the encyclopedia

View Cleaner Wrasse encyclopedia entry →

Care difficulty, lifespan, size and diet — all basics covered.

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