I continue to make interesting observations of fish behaviour during my dives, especially at Rapid Bay jetty. One of my recent observations concerns some fish cleaning behaviour between Pencil Weed Whiting, Sheardichthys beddomei and Spinytail Leatherjacket, Acanthaluteres brownii.
The smaller, more distant Spinytail Leatherjacket, Acanthaluteres brownii in this image is most definitely in client mode, attended by several adult Pencil Weed Whiting, Sheardichthys beddomei. Both Leatherjackets are motionless with erect first dorsal spines, i.e. both are in client mode (the nearer, larger leatherjacket also has a Pencil Weed Whiting very near it).
The hosts were definitely adult, not juvenile Pencil Weed Whiting, as can be determined by their size compared with their clients. And although there may have been some juvenile Pencil Weed whiting nearby, hidden in the meadow, I didn’t see any. So, I regard this encounter as conclusive proof that ADULT Pencil Weed Whiting do provide cleaner services for some demersal reef and meadow associated fish.
I’ve previously suspected that to be the case, with notes and comments in some earlier observations (from earlier dives), but I now have the evidence. I watched some of these Pencil Weed Whiting taking bites off the external surfaces of the Leatherjackets (and goatfish too).
Another observation that I have made recently involves this adult Western Cleaner Clingfish, Cochleoceps bicolor guarding eggs laid on the test of this Pyura genus tunicate: –
