Kahuna Tuna
Active member
I've read numerous studies over the years showing detrimental effects of removing cleaners from the reef. Here a quote from one showing how reef fish congregate around cleaning stations. I found this after searching for about two minutes
"Slobodkin and Fishelson (1974), working in the Red Sea, studied the influence of the cleaner wrasse, Labroides dimidiatus, on the distribution of other fishes on the reefs off Eilat. They deployed a 10m transect line along the reef slope. They then stopped at the end of the 10m line, moved out perpendicularly from the reef face about 5m, and counted all fishes coming within 1m of either side of the transect's end during a 20-minute survey period. This procedure was repeated 60 times so that 600m of reef face was systematically surveyed. Slobodkin and Fishelson were able to convincingly demonstrate that cleaning wrasse territories acted as a focus for the aggregation of other reef fishes."
So, this is OK with you?
I heard there was, if there isn't maybe there should be. Sounds like there is a few responsible collectors out there, thats a start.
This is the rare exception and not the rule. Thousands die for each one that lives.
I beg to differ, thats exactly what you are doing.
From Bob Fenner.
"This is the genus of obligate Cleaner Wrasses most celebrated for establishing stations in the wild that are frequented by "local" reef fishes and pelagics for removing parasites and necrotic tissue. Perhaps shocking to most aquarists, all the Labroides rate a dismal (3) in survivability, even the ubiquitously offered common or Blue Cleaner Wrasse, Labroides dimidiatus. None of the Labroides should be removed, not only for the fact that almost all perish within a few weeks of wild capture, but for the valuable role they play as cleaners."
"On with the issue at hand. One of the wrasse family's fifty eight genera is Labroides, with five described species. The most commonly available is the black, blue and white lined Labroides dimidiatus; the other four have other colors, cost much more money (a few to several tens of dollars U.S.) and should not be offered to the hobby, or encouraged to be so by their purchase."
"Obligates by definition get all or virtually all their nutrient from their cleaning activity; various species setting up permanent cleaning stations with "customer" hosts coming in for regular grooming. Experimental removal of some of these cleaners has demonstrated their immense importance as parasite controls. Local and even large pelagic fish populations are quickly negatively impacted by their removal. Fish populations drop or migrate and remaining fishes lose fitness as measured by increased external parasite loads, sores and torn fins. Casual diving with the four multi-colorful Labroides species reveals that they are of limited numbers and closely defined distribution. When they are removed, the whole reef population suffers."
"Further, these species have not been kept for any length of time in captivity, most dying within a few days to weeks due to a lack of nutritive interaction with host fishes. I have heard stories and seen the endemic Hawaiian cleaner, Labroides phthirophagus accepting dry prepared, freeze-dried, fresh and live foods, still only to waste away and die."
