Fish

Bluestreak cleaner wrasse

Labroides dimidiatus

Reefs; cleaning stations around coral outcrops

Photo: Silke Baron · CC BY 2.0 Generic · Source and license. Displayed as a resized crop. Photograph illustrates the species.

Habitat: Reefs; cleaning stations around coral outcrops
Published depth range: 2–40 m
Viewing activities: Snorkeling · Scuba diving

What to look for

Adults have a broad black side stripe, a pale head, and blue toward the rear. Juveniles are predominantly dark with a blue stripe.

What it eats

External parasites and fish mucus.

Life and behavior

Inspects client fish at cleaning stations. Fin contact can occur separately from feeding.

Observing responsibly

Stay clear of the station and the client’s route. Do not feed or invite contact.

When to look

The available records do not establish a reliable local viewing season. Use the map’s month filter to inspect dated observations; it does not predict an encounter.

Learn more about this species

Why Reef Fish Visit Cleaning Stations—and Sometimes Jolt Away

RECORDED PRESENCE

Where has Bluestreak cleaner wrasse been recorded?

These destination links use the same area and date cutoff as the map: 40 km circles, except for the four named regional rectangles. Checked 2026-09-19. Counts describe source records, not individual animals or sighting odds.

Great Barrier ReefQueensland, Australia40 km radius · 7 source records since 2016About this destination →MaldivesMaldives40 km radius · 7 source records since 2016About this destination →OkinawaJapan40 km radius · 9 source records since 2016About this destination →PalauPalau40 km radius · 11 source records since 2016About this destination →Red SeaEgypt40 km radius · 28 source records since 2016About this destination →Similan IslandsThailand40 km radius · 9 source records since 2016About this destination →

Sources, search boundaries and limitations