Labroides dimidiatus (Cleaner Common Wrasse)

Source: liveaquaria.com

QUICK STATS

• Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons
  
• Care Level: Difficult
  
• Temperament: Peaceful
  
• Reef Compatible: Yes
  
• Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
  
• Max. Size: 5½"
  
• Color Form: Black, Blue, White
  
• Diet: Carnivore
  
• Origin: Fiji, Maldives, Vanuatu
  
• Family: Labridae
  
• Insert Date: 23 July 2011

The Common Cleaner Wrasse, also known as the Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse, occurs singly, in pairs, and in groups in conspicuous locations throughout a reef. Different varieties have different color patterns; some are a dark color with a silver streak, while others are white with a dark streak and a bright yellow area at the tail.
In an aquarium 50 gallons or larger, it needs to be kept with a large number of community fish which it can clean and thus obtain food. When first introduced into the aquarium, live saltwater feeder shrimp should be used to entice this fish to eat. It may accept substitute foods such as chopped seafoods, brine shrimp, and live black worms. It should be fed at least three times daily. This species of Cleaner Wrasse is more hardy than the others, but is still difficult to feed and maintain, and should only be kept by experienced aquarists.

I got 2 fish from peterbloem on one of the forums I’m on. Both for only 15 euro’s, which didn’t seem much to me. The idea was to have them for my crab-tank, but my wife liked them both so much she wanted them in the RSM, something I don’t have problems with…it’s better for the fish as well.
Here a picture of both of them in quarantine before releasing them.

Yesterday I found the cleaner wrasse dead, he probably choked on a rope that came from the algae scratcher. I saw him eat it when it was warped into the aquarium and not long after that he lay dead in the starburst polyp field. Im sad about it, it was such a nice and cheerful fish, always swimming in the picture and not afraid of anything. It might not be the prettiest fish to see, but it has a nice personality.