The Cleverness of Cleaner Fish
Cleaner wrasses play dentist to larger fish, nibbling parasites and dead skin off their “clients.” But not all of them are honest workers—some turn con artists. These mimics, like the sabre-toothed blenny, look identical to cleaner fish but instead take a quick bite of flesh before fleeing.
Even true cleaner fish are strategic, often giving a soothing “pre-service massage” before starting work to keep clients calm. They also prioritize cleaning predators first—because, well, lunch might otherwise eat the help. In reef society, it’s not always about brute force—sometimes it’s all about charm and cunning.
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