An Analysis of Cleaning Symbosis in Some West Indian Fishes

De Lisle, Harold

An experimental study is made of the ethology of cleaning fishes in the West Indies, with emphasis on Gobiosoma genie, the most important cleaner in the shallow reef areas of southwestern Puerto Rico. An analysis of the cleaning behavior of G. genie shows that cleaning behavior may be initiated by either the host or cleaner. Three basic approaches to cleaning by the goby are described. The cleaning method of Gobiosoma is illustrated. Termination of cleaning may be brought about by either cleaner or host. It is found that Gobiosoma is not an obligated cleaner and will readily accept other food and thrive on it. The behavior of host fishes prior to and during cleaning is described. Hosts must usually be motionless for cleaning to commence and often show other specific behavior. A list of species which associated with Gobiosoma was compiled. Predation studies are made for Gobiosoma. These studies, show considerable immunity from adult predators, but little from juveniles. This finding is interpreted on the basis of the ecology of the hosts as evidence of a learning procedure in cleaning symbiosis. The cleaning behavior of juvenile angelfishes is described. An invitation display, similar for all species is found. The role of olfaction in the detection by a host of the presence of a cleaner is examined experimentally and found to be unimportant. Lateral line sense is also found to be unimportant, except perhaps for Gymnothorax spp. Visual stimuli predominate in cleaning behavior and the effects of body stripe pattern of the goby is examined experimentally with models. It is found that pattern is most important, but that other factors such as shape also enter into the recognition of the cleaner. A graded response frequency according to model likeness to the live goby is apparent. Interpretations are made on the ecology of cleaners in the West Indies. Possible displacement activity and ritualization in displays is discussed. Some preliminary ideas about innate and learned behavior are set forth and the difficulty of separating the two emphasized. Finally 1 some generalizations found in the literature about cleaning are interpreted in relation to the West Indies.