Tank setup
A minimum 200L aquarium suits Cleaner Wrasse. Provide hiding spots and stable water — this species thrives in a well-filtered community setup.
Where to buy
Compare prices from SA aquarium shops listing Cleaner Wrasse.
Avg. price
R150
Community Marketplace
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Overview
What to know before you buy.
The Cleaner Wrasse is famous for its 'cleaning stations' on the reef, where it removes parasites and dead tissue from other, often much larger, fish. It has a distinctive blue body with a black stripe that widens towards the tail. While its behavior is fascinating, this fish has a dismal survival rate in captivity. It is an obligate parasite feeder, and prepared foods are almost never a sufficient long-term substitute. Most experts strongly discourage their purchase. An interesting fact is that 'client' fish recognize cleaner wrasses and will queue up for their services, even predators will not harm them during the cleaning.
Key traits
peaceful
community
reef safe
medium
expert only
carnivore
specialized
Compatibility
Select a tank to see how this species fits.
Care guide
Everything you need to keep Cleaner Wrasse healthy in a South African setup.
Water parameters
Keep pH 8.1–8.4 and 24–28°C. Stable parameters matter more than chasing perfect numbers — acclimate new arrivals slowly.
Feeding
Cleaner Wrasse is carnivore. Feed a varied diet appropriate for saltwater fish — quality flakes, pellets, or frozen foods sized to the mouth.
Behaviour
Cleaner Wrasse is generally peaceful. Observe during feeding and at lights-out for true temperament.
Tankmates
Pair with similarly sized peaceful tankmates in saltwater fish. Avoid fin-nippers or species that outgrow this fish.
Breeding
Breeding notes for Cleaner Wrasse vary by line and water chemistry — ask your local shop about proven pairs in SA.
Keeping marine fish?
Marine chemistry moves daily — the foundation sets keep calcium, alkalinity and magnesium honest.
Availability confirmed with the distributor before dispatch · free delivery over r750
Community photos
From hobbyists across SA.
Photo by FishHubAdmin
Market intelligence
Price trends and buyer demand — data only FishHub tracks.
Price history — last 90 days
SA price range this month: R150–350 · Average: R213
This data is unique to FishHub
Demand by province
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Often kept with
Real pairwise verdicts for Cleaner Wrasse, not a same-category guess. Always confirm adult size and your tank's specifics before buying.
- Often kept together
Percula Clownfish
Amphiprion percula
In a 200L+ tank
- Often kept together
Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
Lysmata amboinensis
In a 200L+ tank
- Often kept together
Six-spot Goby
Valenciennea sexguttata
In a 200L+ tank
- Often kept together
Fire Shrimp (Blood Red Shrimp)
Lysmata debelius
In a 200L+ tank
- Often kept together
Zoanthid Colony (various colors)
Zoanthus sp.
In a 200L+ tank
- Often kept together
Flame Angelfish
Centropyge loricula
In a 200L+ tank
- Often kept together
Six Line Wrasse
Pseudocheilinus hexataenia
In a 200L+ tank
- Often kept together
Banded Boxing Shrimp
Stenopus hispidus
In a 200L+ tank