Goldsinny Cleaning
Like other small wrasse, the goldsinny (Ctenolabrus rupestris) acts as a parasite-removing cleaner on other fish.
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The dark spot on its tail stem is thought to be a ‘guild mark’ that advertises this service to ‘clients’.
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Unlike the other goldsinnies shown on this page, the courting couple here have tail stem spots that are barely visible. Is an ‘advertising sign’ with an on/off switch an adaptation that stops goldsinnies from being disturbed by ‘clients’ of their cleaning service when they have reproduction on their minds?
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A goldsinny often shares a reef crevice with a male tompot blenny. Tompot blennies are feisty defenders of their territory but their response to the incursions of a goldsinny is very variable. If the male tompot is guarding eggs (as here), he may watch the goldsinny warily…
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…or drive it away.
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At other times, such as after the eggs he is guarding have all hatched, the male tompot seems much more tolerant of the goldsinny’s approach…
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…and it appears a goldsinny may clean a tompot.