Bicolor Cleaner Wrasse (Labroides Bicolor)
Key Facts
Compatibility and Behavior The Bicolor Cleaner Wrasse cuts a distinctive profile in the water — a dark blue to black upper body contrasted sharply against a bright white to yellow lower half, with a slender, pointed snout built for the precision work of picking parasites. Its gliding, constant swimming style gives it an active, purposeful presence that's immediately noticeable in a reef. Like its Bluestreak cousin, this species tends to establish cleaning stations in the aquarium and may actively service tankmates — behavior that's genuinely interesting to observe but requires the right environment to work well. It's generally peaceful toward dissimilar species, but can become assertive toward other wrasses or similarly shaped fish, particularly in tighter quarters. It's reef safe with corals and invertebrates, though its persistent cleaning attention can occasionally stress slow-moving or already-compromised fish — healthy, moderately active tankmates in a well-stocked system tend to be the best fit.
Aquarium Requirements This is an expert-level fish, and tank setup reflects that. A mature, spacious reef with abundant live rock, strong circulation, and consistently high water quality gives it the best chance of long-term success. Rockwork with ledges and overhangs serves double duty — cleaning station real estate during the day, shelter at night. A tight-fitting lid is essential, as this species will jump. Feeding requires real commitment: frequent small offerings of finely chopped seafood, mysis, and enriched frozen preparations are important to supplement whatever cleaning behavior occurs and reduce dependence on parasites alone. Transitioning individuals onto prepared foods can be challenging, which is a big part of why this species is best left to experienced hands.
Specifications
Approximate Size: Medium 1.75–2.5", Large 2.5–3.5"
Diet: Carnivore; parasites and mucus from fish in nature; finely chopped meaty marine foods in captivity
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Care Level: Expert only
Reef Safe: Yes, with caution — persistent cleaning behavior may stress certain tankmates
Temperament: Generally peaceful; may be assertive toward similar wrasses or other cleaners
Special Considerations: Best suited for large, well-stocked systems with ample cleaning "clients" and supplemental feeding. Tight-fitting lid required.
Pairs well with
Bicolor Cleaner Wrasse (Labroides Bicolor)
If you have any questions, you are always welcome to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!
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Shipping Information
- Our shipping days are Monday-Thursday. Orders will be shipped overnight on the soonest possible shipping day, unless you request to hold the order for up to one business day.
- Your order will ship same-day if placed before 12:30 PM PST on a shipping day.
- Orders placed after 12:30 PM PST will ship on the next shipping day.
- Stay tuned to our Announcement Bar (black bar at the top of every page) for important shipping announcements...we may reach our max limit of orders we can ship on Mondays.
- If it is very hot, very cold, or if you live in a rural area, ship to a UPS Access Point to save your livestock from hours of exposure to the elements. Click here to see how.
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FAQ’s
When will you ship my order?
We will ship on the soonest possible shipping day. Our shipping days are Monday-Thursday, and we ship same-day if the order is placed before 12:30 PM PST (unless announced otherwise). For example, if ordering at 1 PM on Thursday, your order will ship the following Monday.
Can you hold my order until next week?
Unfortunately not. We can hold items for up to one business day before shipping. We restock weekly, so chances are good we will receive more by next week!
When is the best time to order?
Saturdays and Sundays are the absolute best time to order, followed by Wednesday evenings. The closer you order to an inventory update, the better the available inventory.
What happens if something I ordered is unavailable?
We will email you to request a substitution. If you would like your original order, chances are good that it will be available to ship within the week (unless it is a very rare item).
Can I modify my order once it has been placed?
This is possible, but not guaranteed. Please email us if you need to modify your order or shipping address, and we will gladly make the changes for you, or let you know if it is too late.
What should I do if UPS is unreliable in my area?
We recommend shipping to a UPS Access Point, as packages get delivered there first before trucks go on residential deliveries. Click here to see how.
What salinity do you ship at?
Salinity for fish is 1.018-9. Salinity for inverts is 1.024-5.
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Contact Us
Send us an email at sales@reefbeauties.com and we will get back to you shortly.
We do not offer phone calls. We handle our inquiries with timely emails to ensure a qualified and high-quality response, to have all conversations on record, and to avoid miscommunications that can occur over the phone.
Free shipping on orders over $199!
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
When will you ship my order?
We will ship on the soonest possible shipping day. Our shipping days are Monday-Thursday, and we ship same-day if the order is placed before 12:30 PM PST (unless announced otherwise). For example, if ordering at 1 PM on Thursday, your order will ship the following Monday.
Can you hold my order until next week?
Unfortunately not. We can hold items for up to one business day before shipping. We restock weekly, so chances are good we will receive more by next week!
When is the best time to order?
Saturdays and Sundays are the absolute best time to order, followed by Wednesday evenings. The closer you order to an inventory update, the better the available inventory.
What happens if something I ordered is unavailable?
We will email you to request a substitution. If you would like your original order, chances are good that it will be available to ship within the week (unless it is a very rare item).
Can I modify my order once it has been placed?
This is possible, but not guaranteed. Please email us if you need to modify your order or shipping address, and we will gladly make the changes for you, or let you know if it is too late.
What should I do if FedEx is unreliable in my area?
We recommend shipping to a FedEx Ship Center, as packages get delivered there first before trucks go on residential deliveries. Click here to see how.
What salinity do you ship at?
Salinity for fish is 1.018-9. Salinity for inverts is 1.024-5.