False Cleanerfish

← Back to the app

Aspidontus taeniatus

False Cleanerfish, a reference photo
Photo: Izuzuki · CC BY-SA 2.5 (licence)

The false cleanerfish (Aspidontus taeniatus) is a species of combtooth blenny, a mimic that copies both the dance and appearance of Labroides dimidiatus (the bluestreak cleaner wrasse), a similarly colored species of cleaner wrasse. It likely mimics that species to avoid predation, as well as to occasionally bite the fins of its victims rather than consume parasites. Most veiled attacks occur on juvenile fish, as adults that have been attacked in the past may avoid or even attack A. taeniatus.

From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Is it venomous or poisonous?

We have no record of False Cleanerfish being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.

Easily confused with

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Actinopterygii
Order
Blenniiformes
Family
Blenniidae
Species
Aspidontus taeniatus

Found one? Take a photo and B.inomen will suggest what it is, free.

Check your photo

More species