Wrasse

Wrasses are fishes in the family Labridae, a diverse group found mostly in marine habitats. Many have vivid colors, strong jaws, and thick lips.

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Labridae: Labridae is a family of mostly marine fishes that includes wrasses and parrotfishes. Wrasse is the common name for members of this fish family.
Bluestreak cleaner wrasse: The bluestreak cleaner wrasse is a small Indo-Pacific fish that removes parasites from client fish. It is a well-studied wrasse whose cleaning behavior structures reef interactions.
Humphead wrasse: The humphead wrasse is a large Indo-Pacific reef fish with a prominent forehead and thick lips. Its size and appearance make it one of the most recognizable wrasses.
Coral reef: A coral reef is a marine ecosystem built around reef-forming corals and their calcium-carbonate structures. Many wrasses depend on reef habitats for food, shelter, and spawning sites.
Labroides: Labroides is a genus of wrasses that includes cleaner wrasses. This genus illustrates the specialized feeding strategies found among wrasses.
Cleaner station: A cleaner station is a site where cleaner organisms repeatedly service visiting animals. Cleaner wrasses gather at these sites, where client fish seek parasite removal.
California sheephead: The California sheephead is a large wrasse native to rocky reefs along the eastern Pacific coast. It demonstrates how wrasse coloration and sex can change across life stages.
Marine aquarium trade: The marine aquarium trade collects, breeds, and sells saltwater organisms for home and public aquariums. Colorful wrasses are collected for aquariums, raising concerns about some wild populations.
Pharyngeal jaws: Pharyngeal jaws are a second set of jaws in the throat, used by many fishes to process food. Wrasses use modified throat jaws to handle prey after seizing it with their mouths.
Cleaner wrasse mutualism: Cleaner wrasse mutualism is an interaction in which wrasses eat parasites while client fish receive cleaning. This relationship links wrasse feeding to the health and behavior of other reef fishes.