The client animals are typically fish of a different species, but can also be aquatic reptiles ( sea turtles and marine iguana), mammals ( manatees and whales), or octopuses. However, the cleaner fish may consume mucus or tissue, thus creating a form of parasitism called cheating. This example of cleaning symbiosis represents mutualism and cooperation behaviour, an ecological interaction that benefits both parties involved. ![]() ![]() Fish that remove parasites and dead tissue from other species Two bluestreak cleaner wrasses removing dead skin and external parasites from a potato grouper Video of bluestreak cleaner wrasse cleaning the gills of an elongate surgeonfishĬleaner fish are fish that show a specialist feeding strategy by providing a service to other species, referred to as clients, by removing dead skin, ectoparasites, and infected tissue from the surface or gill chambers.
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