SF

The bluestreak cleaner wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus) is one of several species of cleaner wrasses found on coral reefs from Eastern Africa and the Red Sea to French Polynesia. Like other cleaner wrasses, it eats parasites and dead tissue off larger fishes' skin in a mutualistic relationship that provides food and protection for the wrasse, and considerable health benefits for the other fishes. It is also notable for having potentially passed the mirror test, though this is not without controversy. Taxonomy A genetic analysis of L. dimidiatus revealed the population fell into two monophyletic clades, with Indian Ocean populations generally having different stripe widths to western Pacific fishes. The Japanese cleaner wrasses, though, fell within the same group as Indian Ocean fish, despite differing in appearance, and both clades overlap around Papua New Guinea.Two closely related cleaner wrasse species, Labroides pectoralis and Labroides bicolor, were grouped inside the L. dimidiatus clade, so the bluestreak cleaner wrasse may in fact be polyphyletic, incorporating several species. Description  This is a small wrasse, averaging 10 cm (3.9 in) long, at most 14 cm (5.5 in). It can be recognized thanks to a wide longitudinal black stripe running along the side and eye; the back and the stomach are white (sometimes slightly yellowish). This white part changes to a bright blue on the front of the animal, while the black band widens at the tail. The young are black with an electric blue line. Distribution The bluestreak cleaner wrasse is found on coral reefs in the tropics from the Red Sea and Indian Ocean to the western Pacific (including Papua New Guinea, Japan, Fiji, and French Polynesia).[5] It was first recorded from the Kermadec Islands Marine Reserve north of New Zealand in 2015, after researchers examined hundreds of hours of unused documentary film footage. Cleaning Cleaner wrasses are usually found at cleaning stations. Cleaning stations are occupied by different units of cleaner wrasses, such as a group of youths, a pair of adults, or a group of females accompanied by a dominant male. When visitors come near the cleaning stations, the cleaner wrasses greet the visitors by performing a dance-like motion in which they move their rear up and down.The visitors are referred to as "clients". Bluestreak cleaner wrasses clean to consume ectoparasites on client fish for food. The bigger fish recognise them as cleaner fish because they have a lateral stripe along the length of their bodies, and by their movement patterns. Cleaner wrasses greet visitors in an effort to secure the food source and cleaning opportunity with the client. Upon recognising the cleaner and successfully soliciting its attention, the client fish adopts a species-specific pose to allow the cleaner access to its body surface, gills and sometimes mouth.[citation needed] Other fish that engage in such cleaning behavior include goby fish (Elacatinus spp.) The bluestreak cleaner wrasse is known to clean balaenopteridae, chondrichthyans, homaridae, octopodidae, and dermochelyidae In different regions, the bluestreak cleaner wrasse displays various degrees of dependency on clients' ectoparasites as a primary food source. In tidal environments such as the Great Barrier Reef, the bluestreak cleaner wrasse is a facultative cleaner that feeds more on corals than on fish clientele.Juvenile bluestreak cleaners are seen to bite their clients more often than the adults within that region, thus changing the dynamic of the known mutualistic relationship.However, in regions where the bluestreak cleaners are solely dependent on clients' parasites, fish who have access to cleaning services have better body condition than those without cleaner access. In the Marsa Bareika of the Ras Mohamed Nature Reserve, Egypt, the bluestreak cleaner wrasse live in specific sectors of the shallow reefs and are shown to rely on ectoparasites from species such as the brown surgeonfish and white belly damselfish. In this region, fish that visit cleaner wrasses have lower antibody responses than those without cleaner access, suggesting that cleaner access may decrease the need for active immunity. Reproduction Cleaner wrasse males defend specific living territories from other males in which they are able to have control over the females in those territories. When the dominant male no longer exists in that territory, one of the larger females is able to change sexes to take control over that territory.

Read more less

Halichoeres chrysus, commonly called the canary wrasse, golden wrasse or yellow wrasse, is a fish species in the wrasse family native to central Indo-Pacific area. Description The canary wrasse is a small fish that can reach a maximum length of 12 cm. It has a thin, elongate body with a terminal mouth. Body coloration is bright yellow with a few variations according to age. Juvenile and immature female have two black spots rimmed with white or light yellow on the dorsal fin (the first one at the start of the fin (head side) and the second in the middle of its dorsal fin) and a third one between the caudal peduncle and the start of the caudal fin. Mature females or young males only show the two black spots on the dorsal fin. Mature males display only the first black spot on the front of the dorsal fin, a lighter-colored spot just behind the eye and irregular greenish to pinkish lines on the face. Distribution and habitat The canary wrasse is widespread throughout the tropical and subtropical waters of the central Indo-Pacific, in an area bordered by the Christmas Islands and Indonesia, Japan, New South Wales and the Rowley Shoals, and the Tonga Islands  and Solomon Islands. This wrasse occurs on outside reef slopes, in rubble and sandy areas from surface down to a depth of 30 meters. Biology The canary wrasse lives in small groups. It is a benthic predator that feeds mainly on small marine invertebrates such as crustaceans, molluscs, worms and echinoderms captured on or in the substrate. Like most wrasse, the canary wrasse is a protogynous hermaphrodite, i.e. individuals start life as females with the capability of turning male later on.

Read more less

A "Designer Pair" of Amphiprion ocellaris, also known as clownfish, refers to a specific type of clownfish that has been selectively bred for unique color and pattern variations. These variations, Salvador Dali, Black Ice Snowflakes, or Snow Storms, are not naturally occurring and are the result of controlled breeding programs. These pairs are sold as a bonded unit, meaning they are two fish that the breeders have observed together and are likely to live harmoniously.  Here's a breakdown: Selective Breeding: Designer clownfish are the result of breeding programs that aim to produce specific color and pattern variations in the common Ocellaris clownfish.  Examples: Black Storms are known for their black body with irregular white markings. Black Ice Snowflake clownfish are a cross between a Black Ocellaris and a Snowflake, exhibiting both black and snowflake-like patterns. Snow Storms are a result of breeding Black Storms and Black Snowflakes, displaying black fins, icy blue edges, and unique facial patterns.  Pairing: Buying a "Designer Pair" ensures that the fish are likely to be compatible and not exhibit aggression towards each other, unlike randomly selected individual fish.  Reef Compatibility: These designer clownfish are generally reef compatible, meaning they can be kept in a reef aquarium with corals and other invertebrates.  Symbiotic Relationship: Clownfish are known for their symbiotic relationship with anemones, and designer strains, like their wild counterparts, can be housed with anemones like Bubble Tip anemones.  Captive Bred: These fish are captive-bred, meaning they are raised in controlled environments, which often makes them more adaptable to aquarium life and less susceptible to diseases compared to wild-caught specimens. 

Read more less

The Yellow Belly Blue Tang, scientifically known as Paracanthurus hepatus, is a color variant of the popular Blue Tang, notable for its striking blue body and a yellow belly and tail. This variant also features a distinctive black marking on its upper body that forms a sort of "palette" design.  Key characteristics of the Yellow Belly Blue Tang: Coloration: A vibrant blue body with a bright yellow tail and belly.  Markings: A black marking, shaped like a horizontal bar, extends from the back of the head, loops around the gills, and then extends back to the base of the tail.  Size: Can grow up to 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) in length.  Temperament: Generally peaceful but can become territorial and aggressive towards other tangs, especially when they mature.  Reef Compatibility: Reef safe, meaning they don't typically harm corals or other invertebrates.  Diet: Herbivorous, primarily consuming algae and marine plants.  Habitat: Found in coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific region.  Additional details: The yellow coloration on the belly and tail is most prominent in adults, though even small juveniles may show some yellowing.  They are known for their active swimming and need a spacious aquarium with plenty of swimming room.  They are susceptible to certain diseases, particularly Ich, so maintaining good water quality and a healthy diet is crucial.  Their sharp tail spine (scalpel) is used for defense and can inflict a painful wound.  They require a varied diet, including algae-based foods, to maintain their health and reduce aggression.   

Read more less

The Ornate Leopard Wrasse (Macropharyngodon ornatus) is a colorful marine fish known for its intricate patterns and vibrant coloration. Adults typically display a mix of browns, yellows, and whites, with darker lines resembling a leopard's spots, hence the name. They exhibit sexual dimorphism, with males generally larger and more brightly colored than females.  Physical Characteristics: Coloration: Adults have a reddish head, thorax, and abdomen with greenish-yellow bands and spots. The body is mostly covered in blackish shading. Males tend to be darker than females.  Spots and Lines: The distinctive "leopard" pattern is formed by darker lines on a lighter background.  Size: They typically reach a length of around 10-13 cm.  Sexual Dimorphism: Males are generally larger and more brightly colored than females.  Other notable features: They inhabit lagoon and sheltered seaward reefs, often in areas with mixed sand, rubble, and coral.  They are found in the Indo-Pacific region, including Sri Lanka, western Australia, and Indonesia.  They are collected for the aquarium trade.  They are considered reef safe, but may consume small crustaceans and other invertebrates.  They require a sandy substrate to bury themselves in at night. 

Read more less

he Halichoeres chrysus, commonly known as the yellow wrasse or canary wrasse, is a bright yellow fish with a thin, elongate body and a terminal mouth. Males and females exhibit different color patterns and markings, particularly on the dorsal fin. Juvenile and immature females have two black spots on their dorsal fin, while mature males typically have only one.  Detailed Description: Overall Appearance: The fish is predominantly bright yellow with variations in color based on age and sex.  Head and Thorax: The head and thorax are yellow-orange, with irregular pale green bands on the head.  Dorsal Fin: Males have a prominent black spot, often rimmed with white, at the beginning of the dorsal fin. Smaller males may have a second spot on the soft dorsal fin. Mature females also have a second black spot on the middle of the dorsal fin, and juveniles may have a third blackish spot near the tail.  Other Features: A small spot is also present behind the eye. The tail fins are transparent.  Size: This species can grow up to 12 cm in length.  Habitat: They are found in tropical Indo-Pacific regions, often in reef environments with sand and rubble.  Aquarium Keeping: Yellow wrasses are popular in the aquarium trade, known for their vibrant color and ability to control pests like flatworms. They require a tank of at least 50 gallons, a sandy substrate, and good water quality. 

Read more less

Premnas epigramma, commonly known as the Gold Nugget Maroon Clownfish, is a designer variant of the Gold Stripe Maroon Clownfish (Premnas sp. epigrammata). It is characterized by its unique coloration, transitioning from a juvenile white body with maroon fins and face to a vibrant yellow adult with maroon extremities. These clownfish are known to be relatively easy to care for and can be kept in pairs, with the larger fish automatically becoming female in the absence of a pre-existing female.  Here's a more detailed description: Appearance: Juvenile Gold Nugget Maroons have a white body with maroon fins and face. As they mature, yellow coloration develops, eventually covering most of the body, with maroon remaining on the extremities.  Size: They are among the largest clownfish species, reaching a maximum size of around 15cm.  Temperament: They are generally semi-aggressive, particularly towards other fish when defending their anemone or territory.  Reef Compatibility: They are compatible with reef aquariums.  Origin: They are found in the waters around Indonesia.  Diet: They are omnivorous and will readily accept a variety of foods including pellets, flakes, and frozen or live foods.  Anemone Relationship: While they don't require an anemone to survive, they will readily host with various types, including Bubble Tip Anemones (Entacmaea quadricolor).  Breeding: They are known to breed in captivity, and the dominant fish in a pair will become female if needed. 

Read more less