Cleaner fish coloration does not always reduce predation risk: testing the effect of protective mimicry in the false cleanerfish, Aspidontus taeniatus.

The article investigates whether the coloration of the false cleanerfish, Aspidontus taeniatus, which mimics the bluestreak cleaner wrasse, Labroides dimidiatus, functions as protective mimicry to reduce predation risk. Through 460 hours of field observations and aquarium experiments involving potential predators such as lizardfishes (Synodontidae) and the honeycomb grouper (Epinephelus merra), the study found that false cleanerfish are occasionally preyed upon despite their mimicry, and that cleaner wrasse coloration does not consistently inhibit predation. Both the false cleanerfish and a non-mimic species increased shelter use in the presence of predators, indicating that coloration alone does not provide effective protection. The findings suggest that the mimicry of A. taeniatus primarily evolved as aggressive mimicry rather than protective mimicry, emphasizing the importance of behavioral strategies like tactile dancing and escape performance in predator avoidance.