The Cleaning Stations
In a secluded plot of land under the sea, all seems still. No movement, no hassle, no colorful array of fish waiting to ambush you from behind. Just an ordinary patch, with the occasional tuft of grass and patch of coral. The sand reflects a radiant yellow, the kelp sways in gentle, fluid motions, glistening in the light. To any other fish, this isn't out of the ordinary, but the little pilot fish just found the perfect place to start his salon.
First, he hides in the coral, swimming in and out of tunnels munching on the nearby sea-grass. Then a shadow falls upon him: a shark. The little pilot fish doesn't shiver the least bit. In fact, he isn't scared of the ferocious beast, but rejoices the arrival of his next meal instead.
The shark lunges closer, her jaws widening, prominently displaying her wide array of teeth. Right in front of her is the still calm pilot fish. He inspects the dental work before him, tilts his head, and swims right into the jaws of the shark. Miraculously, he doesn't become dinner. The shark isn't the least bit concerned as she swims back and forth, hovering above the selected patch. The pilot fish keeps up, pecking at the dirt on her teeth, satisfying her hunger. A group of his friends join him, and just like that, the little salon has some new recruits. But just one customer isn't enough. Word under the sea spreads fast, and before you know it the Pilot Fish Parlour is packed with customers, from sharks to rays to turtles. They extend their services from just dental work to parasite removal too. Wrasses and cleaner shrimp join the party, pecking at the sharks, eating any nasty bugs on their customers' skin. The parlor is so well known, they have multiple branches now. Look into the nooks and crannies of a reef, or between a clump of seaweed, and you will find such a salon. Big creatures from everywhere travel to the salon, basking in glory as the little fish enjoy a feast.
These are the cleaning stations of the sea. They are nature's way of keeping clean, and avoiding waste all the same. Wrasses, pilot fish, cleaner shrimp, blennies and so many more tiny beings have a mutual relationship with sharks, turtles and rays- not to mention any other fish with hygiene needs. Their services aren't limited to saltwater either; similar stations are found in rivers too, benefitting animals like hippos. You will never find a finer example of symbiosis anywhere.
Image Credits: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Manta_alfredi_at_a_%E2%80%98cleaning_station%E2%80%99_-_journal.pone.0046170.g002B.png
First, he hides in the coral, swimming in and out of tunnels munching on the nearby sea-grass. Then a shadow falls upon him: a shark. The little pilot fish doesn't shiver the least bit. In fact, he isn't scared of the ferocious beast, but rejoices the arrival of his next meal instead.
The shark lunges closer, her jaws widening, prominently displaying her wide array of teeth. Right in front of her is the still calm pilot fish. He inspects the dental work before him, tilts his head, and swims right into the jaws of the shark. Miraculously, he doesn't become dinner. The shark isn't the least bit concerned as she swims back and forth, hovering above the selected patch. The pilot fish keeps up, pecking at the dirt on her teeth, satisfying her hunger. A group of his friends join him, and just like that, the little salon has some new recruits. But just one customer isn't enough. Word under the sea spreads fast, and before you know it the Pilot Fish Parlour is packed with customers, from sharks to rays to turtles. They extend their services from just dental work to parasite removal too. Wrasses and cleaner shrimp join the party, pecking at the sharks, eating any nasty bugs on their customers' skin. The parlor is so well known, they have multiple branches now. Look into the nooks and crannies of a reef, or between a clump of seaweed, and you will find such a salon. Big creatures from everywhere travel to the salon, basking in glory as the little fish enjoy a feast.
These are the cleaning stations of the sea. They are nature's way of keeping clean, and avoiding waste all the same. Wrasses, pilot fish, cleaner shrimp, blennies and so many more tiny beings have a mutual relationship with sharks, turtles and rays- not to mention any other fish with hygiene needs. Their services aren't limited to saltwater either; similar stations are found in rivers too, benefitting animals like hippos. You will never find a finer example of symbiosis anywhere.
Image Credits: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Manta_alfredi_at_a_%E2%80%98cleaning_station%E2%80%99_-_journal.pone.0046170.g002B.png
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