The Coral Reef Cleaning Station

The Coral Reef Cleaning Station.
Dive into the vibrant world of coral reef ecosystems with Shazaad Kasmani. Explore the vital role of cleaning stations and discover the symbiotic relationship between cleaner fish and their clients, including VIP reef inhabitants.

Filmed in Kenya, Best Viewed in HD

In a mesmerizing world beneath the waves where vibrant colors dance and intricate ecosystems thrive we explore one of the ocean's most vital sanctuaries the coral reef cleaning station
This is a place where cleaner fish and their variety of aquatic clients meet
The coral reef is a bustling habitat and although fish do not need to take baths since they live in water they can still get parasites and skin cuts that may lead to infections
Fortunately there are certain pieces of reef called cleaning stations where fish can get the assistance they need and the cleaner wrasse provides this skin care
Cleaner wrasse are easily recognizable by their shape and flashy blue and black colored stripes Cleaners perform dances to attract clients which signals their willingness to clean it's quite a mesmerizing oscillating dance
Like most popular beauty salons some cleaning stations can get extremely busy while other places like this one are less frequented and have much fewer customers
At the busy places an interesting variety of fish line up to wait their turn however some like this busy butterfly fish has no time to wait and it leaves to find the cleaner fish who is immediately available
Once the butterfly fish arrives at the station the cleaner quickly gets to work nibbling at the dead skin and removing pesky parasites the cleaner's behavior isn't just beneficial it's a fascinating example of symbiosis this behavior is vital for the reef's habitat fish stay clean and healthy while the cleaner gets a free meal

The cleaning station is a trusted sanctuary so some fish even open up their vulnerable and sensitive gills for a clean
When fish arrive at the station they begin to act strangely some will hover looking upwards while others like the batfish open up their fins and turn on their side signaling for a clean
VIP customers like the Moray eel receive a personal visit at their own den unfazed by the eel's intimidating presence the eel remains still allowing the cleaner to perform its cleaning task Because cleaners are so important even top reef predators like barracudas are welcome for a clean however there is one unspoken rule of the sea nobody eats the cleaner fish
A torpedo ray looks like it's in desperate need of a clean being an electric ray it can discharge up to 200 volts of electricity when touched a risk none of the other fish at the cleaning station want to take so they all band together persuading it to leave

Like all beauty salons getting pampered can be quite relaxing
This tough skinned Titan trigger fish lays at its side on a piece of coral while this puffer fish prefers the comfort package where you get a soft cushy bed
Being clean is such a soothing experience that some like this rabbit fish even change color to signal their contentment its changing skin tone also assists the cleaner in finding parasites and dead skin more effectively another rabbit fish tries to sneak in without waiting its turn but is quickly reminded of another rule first come first serve and it's chased away
Here amidst the vibrant coral a majestic hawkbill Turtle hovers patiently over the reef awaiting its turn for a much needed clean
Communication is key in this underwater salon I wonder if we can try to get an appointment for a clean too Oh but wait the turtle quickly comes over to remind us that it is first come first served
Like the other reef inhabitants I guess we will just have to wait our turn
Produced, Filmed, Edited, Written, Colour graded by Shazaad Kasmani
Narrated by C Vebiski

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00:00 Coral reef aerial view
00:22 Fish at cleaning station
00:45 Cleaner wrasse dance and colours
01:02 Fish line up in cleaning station
01:31 Cleaner fish and butterfly fish
01:47 Cleaner fish symbiosis
02:02 Cleaner fish cleaning gills puffer fish
02:13 Fish behaviour
02:26 Moray eel and cleaner fish
02:43 Barracuda and cleaner fish
03:01 Torpedo electric ray
03:37 Titan trigger fish
03:48 Puffer fish
03:58 Fish color change Rabbit fish
04:30 Sea turtle cleaning station