Suggestions for a cleaner fish.

[user 26995]

I recently picked up what I believe to be a Cuban Hogfish. It is identical in color. The little guy is probaly 2.5" long right now. Sooo cute.
But my orange shoulder tang and my purple tang are cozying up to it like its a cleaner fish.

So I would like to get them a cleaner fish. I am looking for suggestions. This would be for my 180.
Thanks

 

[user 26995]

looking around I found the Neon Blue Goby (Elacatinus oceanops). These are the only ones I have found. Are there others to choose from?

 

[Derbird]

I have no experience with cleaner fish, but love my skunk cleaner shrimp. My sailfin goes to his cleaning station at least once a day. He will go from dark bands to a light grey and cream color as the shrimp works its magic Its also fun to have them clean my hand.

 

[pandora32]

What about a cleaner wrasse? There black blue and white. I want to get one or 2 but have heard that they dont so good in an aquarium.

 

[user 26995]

I have no experience with cleaner fish, but love my skunk cleaner shrimp. My sailfin goes to his cleaning station at least once a day. He will go from dark bands to a light grey and cream color as the shrimp works its magic Its also fun to have them clean my hand.

Sounds like it does the job in relaxing your sailfin.
I have one in one of my other tanks. They are fun critters. Unfortunately the 180 has a wrasse and a triggerfish that would just LOVE for me to give them a shrimp for a snack! So they wont work in that tank.

 

[user 26995]

What about a cleaner wrasse? There black blue and white. I want to get one or 2 but have heard that they dont so good in an aquarium.

I thought about a bluestreak cleaner wrasse. If it is possible to get one.
I am not sure my hawaiin saddleback wrasse will get along with it, since it is a wrasse. Anyone know if they would get along?

 

[leebca]

Don't get a cleaner fish. Not worth the problems they cause. Hobbyists don't understand that, in the confines of a marine aquarium, the cleaner fishes end up eating the protein layer (mucous coating) of the fish they 'pick on.' This is not healthy for the fish being 'cleaned.' Some cleaner fishes have also been known to eat living flesh off their victims. Of course, I'm not speaking of the obligate parasite eaters, which I assume wouldn't be considered at all. Those cleaners that also eat prepared foods do damage to the fish they 'clean.'

Cleaner fishes are one of those marine life forms that belong in the wild, where they do in fact serve a purpose. That purpose just isn't found in the home aquarium. Please read through this post: http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/f15/cleaner-fishes-invertebrates-picky-fishes-55205/

 

[pandora32]

Thats what i heard and the reason i never bought one.

 

[user 26995]

Oh, okay. I dont want to be hurting my tangs or other fish, so I will scratch that idea.
Thanks for that info Lee.

 

[1guydude]

dangit i was gonna say i like the plain coral hogfish and wat about marine catfish, r they cleaners? Im sure the hogfish u picked out Ipisces is much nicer though. Im off to google image~!-d

 

[MrKris]

I'd suggest a cleaner wrasse. Depending on how lucky you are, you may get one that actually does a good job and can survive on the food you feed - they are very picky eaters. I have tried at least 5 cleaner wrasses and the one I currently have is the best one - it may take a bit of money and time to get the "right" one. Good luck!