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    Bluestreak cleaner wrasse

    Labroides dimidiatus

    Also sold as Common cleaner wrasse

    Not for beginners

    Bluestreak cleaner wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus), photographed in the sea or an aquarium
    Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
    Care level
    Advanced
    Adult size
    14 cm in aquariums
    Minimum tank
    341 litres
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    With corals
    Reef safe
    Captive-bred
    Wild-caught (captive-bred rare)
    IUCN status
    Least Concern
    Show volumes in

    How do you care for the bluestreak cleaner wrasse?

    Peaceful.

    Feeding

    Obligate cleaner: parasites and mucus from other fish.

    Needs several small meals a day; most starve because a home tank cannot supply enough parasites.

    Tank and special needs

    Plan for at least 341 litres of water (the care sheet says 90 US gallons).

    Lid.

    Corals and invertebrates

    Pesters fish for parasites.

    Which tankmates suit the bluestreak cleaner wrasse?

    Use cleaner shrimp or neon gobies instead.

    Suggested order in a mixed tank: add after the first peaceful fish.

    More than one bluestreak cleaner wrasse

    Keep one bluestreak cleaner wrasse: two of the same species usually fight.

    Other fish

    Checked against the other 59 fish in this guide, assuming a tank big enough for both. Individual fish differ, so treat this as a starting point.

    Take care (3)

    • Maroon clownfishMaroon clownfish is aggressive and may bully the bluestreak cleaner wrasse, especially if the bully is added first.
    • Humbug damselHumbug damsel is aggressive and may bully the bluestreak cleaner wrasse, especially if the bully is added first.
    • Powder blue tangPowder blue tang is aggressive and may bully the bluestreak cleaner wrasse, especially if the bully is added first.
    Usually fine together (56)

    Invertebrates

    Only the invertebrates with a known risk are listed.

    Take care (2)

    • Tiger tail sea cucumberA stressed or dead tiger tail sea cucumber can release toxins that harm fish; cover pump intakes.
    • Sea appleA stressed or dead sea apple can release toxins that harm fish; cover pump intakes.

    Corals and anemones

    Only the corals and anemones with a known risk are listed.

    No known problems with the corals and anemones in this guide.

    These checks follow the reasons fish and invertebrates clash: same species or genus, similar shape, mouth size, temperament, food, burrows, tank size and the order they are added. Individual animals differ; every source agrees on that.

    Quarantine and health

    Not a parasite cure.

    New fish are the most common way disease gets into a reef tank. Quarantine every fish in a separate tank before it joins the display, and choose a method that suits its tolerance of copper.

    Captive-bred or wild?

    Wild-caught; not bred commercially.

    Removing cleaners can affect reef fish health locally. Prefer Lysmata shrimp or captive-bred neon gobies.

    What does it cost in the UK?

    about £19. This is one UK retailer’s listing on 21 October 2026, not a market average, and every item was sold out on that day. Low price contrasts with poor survival.

    Sources

    1. LiveAquaria (US retailer) care sheetRead 21 October 2026, read in full. Used for: stats.
    2. Reef Builders articleRead 21 October 2026, search summary only. Used for: survival.
    3. Web page at wetwebmedia.comRead 21 October 2026, search summary only. Used for: survivability rating.
    4. FishBase species summaryRead 21 October 2026, read in full. Used for: max length, IUCN.
    5. Kraken Corals (UK retailer) catalogueRead 21 October 2026, read in full. Used for: UK price.

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    Yellow coris wrasse

    Halichoeres chrysus

    Good first fish

    Care
    Beginner
    Adult size
    13 cm
    Tank from
    189 litres
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Corals
    Reef safe with caution

    Photo Sushi Girl1995, CC BY-SA 3.0

    Six line wrasse

    Pseudocheilinus hexataenia

    Care
    Beginner
    Adult size
    8 cm
    Tank from
    114 litres
    Temperament
    Semi-aggressive
    Corals
    Reef safe

    Photo Brian Gratwicke, CC BY 2.0

    Red head solon fairy wrasse

    Cirrhilabrus solorensis

    Care
    Intermediate
    Adult size
    13 cm
    Tank from
    341 litres
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Corals
    Reef safe

    Photo desertnaturalist, CC BY 4.0

    Carpenter's flasher wrasse

    Paracheilinus carpenteri

    Care
    Intermediate
    Adult size
    8 cm
    Tank from
    227 litres
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Corals
    Reef safe

    Photo Gdiggers, CC BY-SA 3.0