Ecology of Labroides dimidiatus
 
Main Ref. Sano, M., M. Shimizu and Y. Nose, 1984
Remarks Inhabits coral rich areas of inner lagoons and subtidal reef flats to seaward reefs (Ref. 1602). Feeds on crustacean ectoparasites and mucus of other fishes (Ref. 9823, 48636). Monogamous (Ref. 52884). Stays in stations where other fish come to be cleaned. Cleaning intensity is not related to client size or commonness (Ref. 28019). Cleaning stations are occupied by a pair of adults, a group of juveniles or a group of females accompanied by a dominant male where a female becomes a functional male if the dominant male disappears (Ref. 5503). An unfamiliar visitor is usually greeted by dance-like movements with the tail maneuvering the back part of the body up and down. Juveniles behave this way when divers approach closely (Ref. 48636). A small body size and the presence of a lateral stripes both contribute as long-distance signals of cleaning services for fish clients (Ref. 75868). Feeds on the gill parasites of Gymnothorax favagineus (Ref. 129713).

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 dimidiatus may be found.

Habitat

Substrate Soft Bottom: sand; mud; Hard Bottom: rocky;
Substrate Ref. Letourneur, Y., P. Chabanet, P. Durville, M. Taquet, E. Teissier, M. Parmentier, J.-C. Quéro and K. Pothin, 2004
Special habitats Beds: sea grass; Coral Reefs;
Special habitats Ref. Nguyen, N.T. and V.Q. Nguyen, 2006

Associations

Ref. Flandinette, P., 2022
Associations solitary;
Associated with Cleaner labrid (Ref. 6110); Gymnothorax favagineus (Ref. 129713).
Association remarks Some adults solitary and territorial (Ref. 6110).
Parasitism

Feeding

Feeding type mainly animals (troph. 2.8 and up)
Feeding type Ref. Sano, M., M. Shimizu and Y. Nose, 1984
Feeding habit picking parasites off a host (cleaner)
Feeding habit Ref. Sano, M., M. Shimizu and Y. Nose, 1984
Trophic Level(s)
Estimation method Original sample Unfished population Remark
Troph s.e. Troph s.e.
From diet composition 3.46 0.44 3.35 0.38 Troph of juv./adults from 1 study.
From individual food items 3.85 0.63 Trophic level estimated from a number of food items using a randomized resampling routine.
Ref. Sano, M., M. Shimizu and Y. Nose, 1984
(e.g. 346)
(e.g. oophagy)
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