Bicolor Cleaner Wrasse (Labroides Bicolor)

The Bicolor Cleaner Wrasse is a fascinating and functional marine fish known for its dual-toned coloration and its symbiotic cleaning behavior. With a black front half and a white to pale yellow rear, this wrasse stands out in any aquarium. It provides cleaning services to other fish by removing parasites and dead tissue. However, due to its highly specialized diet and natural behaviors, the Bicolor Cleaner Wrasse is a challenging species to keep and is best suited for advanced aquarists.

Care Information

• Maximum Size: Up to 5 inches.
• Tank Size: 55 gallons minimum; requires a tank with plenty of swimming space and a healthy, diverse population of tankmates for cleaning interactions.
• Diet: Carnivorous; primarily feeds on parasites and dead tissue from other fish in the wild. In captivity, it may be difficult to transition to prepared foods. Offer a diet that includes finely chopped seafood, enriched brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and high-quality marine pellets. Regular feedings of live foods can help sustain this species.
• Water Temp: 72-78°F.
• Salinity: 1.020-1.025.
• Aggression: Peaceful; generally non-aggressive and thrives in a community tank with cooperative tankmates.
• Skill Level: Advanced; requires a stable, mature tank and a feeding strategy tailored to its specialized diet and behaviors.
• Reef Compatibility: Reef-safe; does not harm corals or invertebrates but may stress certain fish by constantly attempting to clean them.

Special Challenges - Feeding and Survival
The Bicolor Cleaner Wrasse is notoriously difficult to feed in captivity, as it relies on a diet of parasites and mucous from other fish in the wild. Providing a sufficient diet in an aquarium setting is a challenge, and even with supplemental feeding, it may not thrive without frequent access to live foods.

Compatibility
This wrasse is peaceful and best housed in a community setup with larger, cooperative fish that benefit from its cleaning behavior. Avoid housing it with highly aggressive species or fish that do not tolerate cleaning attempts, as this can cause stress.

Coloration

• Indo-Pacific Region: The Bicolor Cleaner Wrasse features a striking black front half and a pale yellow to white rear half. Its streamlined body and coloration help it blend into the reef as it performs cleaning services for other fish​.

Typical Habitat

• Distribution: Found throughout the Indo-Pacific, particularly in coral reefs where it establishes cleaning stations. In aquariums, it requires stable conditions, cooperative tankmates, and access to food that mimics its natural diet.