Royal Cleaner Wrasse

(Labroides phthirophagus)

Labroides Wrasse are also known as Cleaner Wrasse and should be added to well established aquariums. Plenty of rock work with overhangs and caves should be provided for Cleaner Wrasses to set up cleaning stations. Cleaner Wrasse will reside in theses cleaning stations and entice other fish to allow them to remove parasites and other debris. Cleaner Wrasse are obligate feeders and should be added to well stocked tanks by expert aquarists. Cleaner Wrasse may pick at unwilling fish or invertebrates. A diet of meaty foods should be provided to supplement Labroides diets. Males and females may exhibit color differences. Wrasse are hermaphrodites meaning they start as juveniles/females but at some point in their life may turn into a male. Cleaner Wrasse have been known to jump, an aquarium with a tight fitting lid should be provided.

The Royal Cleaner Wrasse are sometimes also known as the Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse. Occasionally seen in the aquarium trade. Royal Cleaner Wrasse are mainly yellow and black with a blue to purple color highlighting the back portion of the body. Royal Cleaner Wrasse can grow to almost 4".

We recommend a minimum aquarium size of 75 gallons or larger for this species.

Water conditions: Salinity 1.020 - 1.025, Temp (F) 72 - 78, pH 8.1 - 8.4, Alkalinity 8 - 12 dKH

  • Care: CareDifficultDifficult
  • Behavior: BehaviorSocialSocial
  • Diet: DietLive FoodLive Food
  • Habitat: HabitatReefReef
  • Light: LightMediumMedium