Cleaner fish coloration decreases predation risk in aggressive fangblenny mimics

Cheney, Karen L.

Cleaner fish coloration decreases predation risk in aggressive fangblenny mimics

2013

Cheney, Karen L.

Lay summaryOn coral reefs, the vivid blue and black colouration of cleaner wrasse prevents them from being eaten by potential predators. Cleaner wrasse remove harmful ectoparasites from the body surface of reef fish clients. I show that cleaner wrasse mimics (fangblennies) attacked reef fish predators to feed on scales and fins more frequently when they displayed a cleaner colouration. Colour helps maintain a mutually beneficial relationship between cleaner and clients, but also ensures the success of deceitful mimics.

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