Cleaning activity and fish clients of Elacatinus figaro (Pisces: Gobiidae) on coral reefs of Parrachos de Muriú, Northeastern Brazil

Abstract

Cleaner fishes remove ectoparasites, injured tissue, mucus and scales from the body surface of other fishes. This behavior is important for the maintenance and health of reef fish species. In the Brazilian coast there are 24 cleaner fish species, with Elacatinus figaro (a goby endemic to Brazil) being recognized as one of the most specialized. This study records the diversity of clients and the daily cleaning activity of Elacatinus figaro on coral reefs of Parrachos de Muriú, Rio Grande do Norte, Northeast Brazil. A total of 21 species belonging to 11 families were recorded, with 15 species of clients (68.4% of total) active during the day, five (25.3%) with nocturnal activity and one (5.3%) with diurnal and nocturnal activity. The most frequent clients recorded were grunts (Haemulidae; 25.6% of all cleaning events) and damselfishes (Pomacentridae; 22.8%), whereas planktivores/invertivores was the most frequently attended trophic category (23.6%). Cleaning activity started between 05h14-06h28 AM and ended between 5h13-5h25 PM. Size of clients ranged 7-40 cm (total length) and most individuals were medium-sized (12-30 cm). A total of 127 ± 3 cleaning events and 34 ± 1.7 minutes of cleaning activity were estimated per cleaning station per day (2-6 individuals of E. figaro).