Creole wrasse at a cleaning station
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Creole wrasse at a cleaning station
Creole wrasse (Clepticus parrae) at a cleaning station. This fish inhabits the tropical western Atlantic Ocean, from Florida, USA, to northern South America. It feeds on zooplankton and small invertebrates and can reach 30 centimetres in length. A cleaning station is a place on the reef where specialised cleaner fish reside. Larger fish visit these sites, and allow the smaller fish to pick parasites from their bodies, often even including the insides of their mouths. The cleaners are never swallowed, even if smaller fish are the primary diet of the fish being cleaned. This is a form of symbiosis. Photographed off Bonaire Island in the Netherlands Antilles, in the Caribbean Sea
Science Photo Library features Science and Medical images including photos and illustrations
Media ID 6458915
© GEORGETTE DOUWMA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Bonaire Caribbean Sea Cleaner Cleaning Station Mutualism Netherlands Antilles Symbiosis Symbiotic Clepticus Parrae Creole Wrasse
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures a mesmerizing moment in the tropical waters of the Caribbean Sea. A vibrant Creole wrasse (Clepticus parrae) gracefully hovers at a cleaning station, surrounded by an array of colorful coral reefs. This fish, found in the western Atlantic Ocean from Florida to northern South America, is known for its striking appearance and fascinating behavior. At this unique underwater oasis, specialized cleaner fish eagerly await larger visitors seeking their services. In a remarkable display of mutualism, these smaller cleaners meticulously pick parasites from the bodies of their clients, sometimes even venturing into their mouths. The larger fish willingly participate in this symbiotic relationship, ensuring that they remain free from unwanted hitchhikers. Measuring up to 30 centimeters in length, the Creole wrasse relies on zooplankton and small invertebrates for sustenance. Its vivid colors stand out against the backdrop of azure waters and thriving marine life surrounding Bonaire Island in the Netherlands Antilles. This extraordinary photograph offers a glimpse into the intricate world beneath our oceans' surfaces—a testament to nature's harmonious balance and interdependence among species. It serves as a reminder of both the beauty and complexity that exist within our planet's diverse ecosystems.
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