Home · Labridae · Blue diesel wrasse
Blue diesel wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus) — Labridae

Blue diesel wrasse

Labroides dimidiatus
Family: Labridae
LC · Least Concern

The Blue diesel wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
14 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–100.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The bluestreak cleaner wrasse is a small wrasse (family Labridae) of the Indo-Pacific and one of the best-known cleaner fishes. The species reaches about 14 cm and has a slender, pale blue body with a black lateral stripe that widens towards the rear. It inhabits coral-rich areas of inner lagoons, reef flats and seaward reefs, where at fixed cleaning stations it removes parasites and dead tissue from other fishes and eats their mucus. The species is monogamous and a protogynous hermaphrodite: individuals begin as females and may change into males. It is harmless to humans and of no fishery value.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blue diesel wrasse?

The Blue diesel wrasse has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly blue and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Blue diesel wrasse live?

The Blue diesel wrasse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Blue diesel wrasse get?

The Blue diesel wrasse grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.

Is the Blue diesel wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Blue diesel wrasse is harmless to humans.

Is the Blue diesel wrasse edible?

The Blue diesel wrasse is not usually eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Blauwstreep-poetslipvis sourced
English name
Blue diesel wrasse verified
Scientific name
Labroides dimidiatus
Family
Labridae
Other names
Blue streak; Bluestreak cleaner wrasse verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Blue inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
100.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
4.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Labroides

More from the family Labridae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →