Pectoral Cleaner Wrasse - Labroides pectoralis

A cleaner wrasse with a mostly yellow head and a large black spot below the pectoral fin base. Like other species of Labroides, the Breastspot Cleanerfish establishes "cleaning stations" and removes parasites from other fishes.

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Cocos-Keeling Island in the eastern Indian Ocean to Line and Pitcairn Islands, north to Bonin Islands, and south to the Great Barrier Reef.

Size: up to 4 inch inches (11 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits lagoons and seaward reefs where it sets up cleaning stations usually near major coral growths, and usually found at depths between 6 – 100 feet (2 – 30 m) where it cleans fishes of skin parasites and will also eat fish scales and fish mucus.

General Husbandry: Occasionally seen in the trade having yellow on the head and a black spot below the pectoral fin. 

Usually does not fare well in reef or fish-only aquariums unless there is a large population of fishes willing to be cleaned. May accept some frozen meaty foodstuffs, such as adult brine shrimp and/or live fortified adult brine shrimp.

Taxonomy:

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Labroidei

Family: Labridae

Genus: Labroide

Experience Level: Intermediate

Temperament: Bothersome

Diet: Carnivore

Coral Safe: Yes

Fish Safe: With caution

Invertebrate Safe: With caution

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Tankmates: Peaceful

Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallons

Temperature Range: 74 - 82°F (23 – 27°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5