Mimicry of cleaner fish Aggressive mimicry

two bluestreak cleaner wrasse cleaning potato grouper, epinephelus tukula

mimicry of mutualistic species seen in coral reef fish, models, cleaner fish, disadvantaged presence of mimic. cleaner fish allies of many other species, allow them eat parasites , dead skin in mutually beneficial cleaning symbiosis. allow cleaner venture inside mouths , gill cavities hunt these parasites. however, 1 species of cleaner, bluestreak cleaner wrasse (labroides dimidiatus), unknowing model of mimetic species, sabre-toothed blenny (aspidontus taeniatus). wrasse, shown in image cleaning grouper of genus epinephelus, resides in coral reefs in indian , pacific oceans, , recognized other fishes allow clean them. imposter, species of blenny, lives in indian ocean , not looks in terms of size , coloration, mimics cleaner s dance . having fooled prey letting guard down, bites it, tearing off scales or piece of fin before fleeing scene. fish grazed upon in fashion learn distinguish mimic model, because similarity close between 2 become more cautious of model well, such both affected. due victims ability discriminate between foe , helper, blennies have evolved close similarity, right down regional level. aggressive mimic of cleaner wrasse, bluestriped fangblenny, has evolved opioid-containing venom dulls pain , lowers blood pressure, confusing bitten host , giving cheating mimic time escape.