Cleaner Wrasse-Symbiotic Relationships-
Cleaner Wrasse gained their name by setting up 'cleaning stations' in which fish come to, and have their body internally and externally cleaned of any parasites or diseased tissue by the Wrasse. This Symbiotic Relationship between the Cleaner Wrasse and the other fish is mutually beneficial, as the cleaning process keeps both the Cleaner and the client healthy.
The tiny parasites which are found on many ocean fish and conveniently primarily compose the Cleaner Wrasse's diet. These Parasitic Copepods are very dangerous for their host fish, as they are known to feast on the blood, flesh, mucous and tissue of the fish as well as induce infection and cause outbreaks of diseases which have the potential to cause many fish mortalities.
While these parasites are very dangerous to the reef ecosystem, Cleaner Wrasse rely on them as their stable primary source of nutrients and food. Cleaner Wrasse rely on these parasitic creatures to keep them alive. As stated earlier, these parasites are found on many reef fish (parrotfish, reef sharks, moray eels, groupers, damsel fish, surgeon fish etc.) and can have potentially devastating affects on their health. Thus the reef fish (parrotfish, reef sharks, moray eels, groupers, damsel fish, surgeon fish etc.) relies on the Cleaner Wrasse to eat the parasites, so they can be cleansed of such dangers and live a healthy life.
This mutual relationship between Cleaner Wrasse and the entire reef fish community is a very important one, to keep the entire ecosystem as thriving and healthy as possible.
The tiny parasites which are found on many ocean fish and conveniently primarily compose the Cleaner Wrasse's diet. These Parasitic Copepods are very dangerous for their host fish, as they are known to feast on the blood, flesh, mucous and tissue of the fish as well as induce infection and cause outbreaks of diseases which have the potential to cause many fish mortalities.
While these parasites are very dangerous to the reef ecosystem, Cleaner Wrasse rely on them as their stable primary source of nutrients and food. Cleaner Wrasse rely on these parasitic creatures to keep them alive. As stated earlier, these parasites are found on many reef fish (parrotfish, reef sharks, moray eels, groupers, damsel fish, surgeon fish etc.) and can have potentially devastating affects on their health. Thus the reef fish (parrotfish, reef sharks, moray eels, groupers, damsel fish, surgeon fish etc.) relies on the Cleaner Wrasse to eat the parasites, so they can be cleansed of such dangers and live a healthy life.
This mutual relationship between Cleaner Wrasse and the entire reef fish community is a very important one, to keep the entire ecosystem as thriving and healthy as possible.
FIRST PERSON EVIDENCE-
While snorkelling in the Whitsundays and simply observing the behaviour of the Cleaner Wrasse it was incredible to see how the Cleaner Wrasse may situate themselves in a certain position and clean any fish which enters their vicinity. Cleaner Wrasse were swimming all over the place eating and cleansing many reef fish of dangerous parasites. What was even more incredible, was that in most cases, the reef fish allowed the Cleaner Wrasse to get very close and clean them. This is a prime example of a symbiotic relationship in the reef.