Ecology of Labroides phthirophagus
 
Main Ref. Lieske, E. and R. Myers, 1994
Remarks Found in most coral reef habitats except in the surge zone (Ref. 9710). Obligate cleaner (Ref. 9710), picks parasitic crustaceans from other fishes. The surface mucus of host fishes appears to represent a stable food resource for cleaner fishes like Labroides phthirophagus. It is likely that host surface mucus provides cleaners with a reliable energy source in the form of carbohydrates while ectoparasites represent a less stable protein source (Ref. 35736).

Aquatic zones / Water bodies

Marine - Neritic Marine - Oceanic Brackishwater Freshwater
Marine zones / Brackish and freshwater bodies
  • supra-littoral zone
  • littoral zone
  • sublittoral zone
  • epipelagic
  • mesopelagic
  • epipelagic
  • abyssopelagic
  • hadopelagic
  • estuaries/lagoons/brackish seas
  • mangroves
  • marshes/swamps
  • rivers/streams
  • lakes/ponds
  • caves
  • exclusively in caves
Highighted items on the list are where Labroides phthirophagus may be found.

Habitat

Substrate
Substrate Ref.
Special habitats Coral Reefs;
Special habitats Ref.

Associations

Ref.
Associations
Associated with
Association remarks
Parasitism

Feeding

Feeding type mainly animals (troph. 2.8 and up)
Feeding type Ref. Lieske, E. and R. Myers, 1994
Feeding habit picking parasites off a host (cleaner)
Feeding habit Ref. Lieske, E. and R. Myers, 1994
Trophic Level(s)
Estimation method Original sample Unfished population Remark
Troph s.e. Troph s.e.
From diet composition
From individual food items 4.03 0.67 Trophic level estimated from a number of food items using a randomized resampling routine.
Ref.
(e.g. 346)
(e.g. oophagy)
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