Labroides dimidiatus LABDIM-070509-BERAND-002
The Breeder’s Registry information contained in this report is taken from submitted observations from aquarist unless noted otherwise (see comments). Information may be reproduced providing the Breeder’s Registry is cited.
Breeder ID: LABDIM-070509-BERAND-002
Date received: 7/5/09
Identification: Labroides dimidiatus (Valenciennes, 1839)
Geographic origin: Indo-West Pacific
Taxonomy: (after I.C.Z.N.)
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) Infraclass: Teleostei Superorder: Acanthopterygii
Order: Perciformes Suborder: Labridae
Family: Cheilinae (wrasses)
Genus: Labroides
Species: dimidiatus
Description: The family Cheilinae, commonly referred to as the wrasses, consists of 60 genera and over 500 species. Labroides dimidiatus, commonly known as the Bluestreak cleaner wrasse, is a diminutive fish best known for its ever-present cleaning activity on the natural reefs. These bold fishes are often associated with much larger residents of the reef such as angels, groupers and sharks – darting in and out of mouths (and sometimes into mouths and out through the gills!). In the aquarium, they are generally peaceful, but have been known to harass tank mates to the point of distress. This species feeds primarily on small crustaceans and mucus, dead tissue and parasites it finds on larger “clients.” It is often confused with Aspidontus taeniatus, the Sabretoothed blenny – a mimic that will take chunks of flesh from the same unsuspecting customers! Warning: Cleaner wrasses usually do not thrive in captivity and The Breeder’s Registry does not endorse any but the most dedicated aquarists attempting to keep wild caught individuals of this genera due to the adverse impacts to the client fish by removing them from established cleaning stations on the reef.
Duration male: 5 months
Size male (mm): 100
Duration female: 5 months
Size female (mm): 100
Physical differences: Only discernable a couple of hours pre-spawn. Female\D5s abdomen distends in a very distinctive way.
Adult diet: They eat any frozen I toss in. Mysis, and my grocery store blendered goo, mostly.
Frequency of feeding(s): 3 – 4 times/day
Pre-spawning activity: Male and female cruise the tank. Lots of circling behavior. Male often is directly above female and moves mouth (may be vocalizing). Also, male and female engage in a strange back arch display. The whole courtship is very beautiful.
Area spawning occurred: Display tank, above rock outcropping but with at least 1.5 feet of water column.
Spawning behavior: Both dart to surface, often after several false ascents.
Frequency of spawning: Twice daily
Time of spawning: ~9 p.m.
Egg description: Not successfully collected.
Size of eggs: Not Reported
Spawning tank size (gallons): ~480
Spawning tank dimensions (LxWxH): L shape, 10.5 feet long x 2 feet wide x 2.5 feet high, short side of L adds another 2 feet of length
Sides and back of tank covered? No
Color: N/A
Filtration: Skimming, deep sand beds, carbon, algae
Pumping volume: Closed loop, ~5,000gph, Return ~2,500gph
Sea salt used: Oceanic
Frequency/Volume of changes: Whole system: 120 gallons/7-14 days.
Specific Gravity: 1.025 (measured with Refractometer)
pH: 8.0 – 8.3 (Reefkeeper pH probe)
Nitrates: 0, last checked.
Calcium: 400 ppm, last test
Water temperature (F): 79 – 83
Spawning Tank lighting: #1 four 400W Metal halides, 14,000K – 1600 watt total #2 two 250W Metal halides, 20,000K \D0 500 watt total #2 two 250W Metal halides, 20,000K \D0 500 watt total
Spawning Tank photoperiod: 12 hours
Additives, medications added: Kalkwasser
Frequency and dose: 10 L/day
Water Used for saltwater make-up: Kold Ster-il filtered tap water.
Original description: First described by Valenciennes (1839) in Cuvier and Valenciennes (Histoire naturelle des poissons v.13). Holotype (unique) collected at El Tur, Sinai coast, Egypt, Gulf of Suez. Current status: Valid as Labroides dimidiatus, (Valenciennes, 1839) Labridae. Distribution: Indo-West Pacific. Habitat: marine. (Source: Eschmeyer, W.N. and Fricke, R. (eds.) Catalog of Fishes electronic version (updated 13 Mar. 2009).
Word origin: The genus Labroides could be from the Greek labro meaning “furious/eager/greedy” or also Latin labeo meaning “lip,” variations of which refer to the wrasses and the Greek suffix ides meaning “resembling” or “like,” so “wrasse-like” seems to be the most logical conclusion. The species dimidiatus is from the Latin dimidius meaning \D2halved or divided\D3 referring to its signature longitudinal blue and black color pattern.
Vernacular name: Bluestreak cleaner wrasse
Suggested reading:
Michael, Scott W., (paid link) A PocketExpert Guide to Marine Fishes: 500+ Essential-To-Know Aquarium Species, 2001, T.F.H. Publications, One T.F.H. Plaza, Third
and Union Avenues, Neptune City, NJ 07753, Co-published by Microcosm Ltd, P.O.
Box 550, Charlotte, VT 05445
About this report: Information contained in this report is taken from submitted observations. Taxonomy, Synonomy, Original description , Word origin and Suggested reading are provided by member(s) of The Breeder’s Registry staff. Information is presented under the belief that it is accurate. If you have information in addition to, or contrary to that presented you are encouraged to contact the Breeder’s Registry. Permission is granted for “one-time” personal use. Reproduction as distributed or accessible media is prohibited without prior written permission. All rights reserved. 2009
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