Yesterday we were lucky enough to hang out with the Monkey’s of Central America. Today we are heading to the coastal portions of the Pacific Ocean, although if you prefer you may also head to the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, the Red Sea or any other sea around Southeast Asia. In all of these places you will have the opportunity to learn about the Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse. Normally these little fish can be found hanging around coral reefs in these shallow coastal areas.
The Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse is typically a small sized fish with the average length being about 11 cm (4″) long. Although they are small they sure do lead an interesting life. For starters this tiny fish is a carnivore which feeds upon parasites and dead tissue of larger fish. This creates a perfect mutualist relationship between the Wrasse and the fish it is living off of. In this case the Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse gets to eat and is protected by the larger fish while the host receives all kinds of health benefits from the Wrasse. Remember, Parasite Week? This little fish will take care of those pesky parasites. The larger fish usually recognize the Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse by their lateral stripe running down the length of their body. Once the larger fish has the attention of the Wrasse they will strike a species specific pose which allows the Wrasse access to their body surface, gills and even their mouth. That cleaner fish would have to be brave to go towards the mouth of a potential predator.
The feeding behaviour of the Cleaner Wrasse is interesting but nowhere near as interesting as their unique social behaviour. Basically all Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse begin their life as females. In a group of 6 to 8 Cleaner Wrasse there is usually only one male while the rest are females or juveniles. So if they all begin life as a female than how do you get males? This is a good question and the answer is they practice sequential hermaphroditism. All this means is once the male dies, the strongest female will simply change her sex and become the new male. I told you this was interesting. The question I have is how did the very first male get there?
Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse Fast Fact – There is a species of Blenny (another small fish) that mimic the Cleaner Wrasse. Once this impostor is accepted by the larger fish they will proceed by ripping off flesh from this unsuspecting client.
I think today’s fact just goes to show how interesting the animal kingdom really is. You have to appreciate the intricacies of all life on this planet. Enjoy the rest of your day folks.
