Konow, N., Fitzpatrick, R., and Barnet, A. (2006) Adult emperor angelfish (Pomacanthus imperator) clean giant sunfishes (Mola mola) at Nusa Lambongan, Indonesia. Coral Reefs, 25 (2). p. 208.

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Abstract

[Extract] Over 4 days in October 2004, up to 16 ectoparasite-laden Giant Sunfishes (Mola Mola) were observed off Nusa Lembongan, Indonesia, confirming indigenous reports of annual Mola agregations at a short stretch of coral reef slope. An 'assembly line' of five coral reef species cleaning separate Mola body regions was documented. Butterflyfish species (Chaetodon kleinii and Heniochus diphreutes) cleaned the ventral and head areas respectively, while wrasses (Labroides dimidiatus and Thalasoma lunare) covered flank regions. Surprisingly, of 37 observed cleaning events, ~40% were dominated by large Emperor angelfishes, Pomacanthus imperator (n≤12;total length<55cm).

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