The Silver Batfish Monodactylus argenteus (Monodactylidae) Cleans in Larval Phase, Services Large Clients and Cleans Diseased Pufferfish

Cleaning mutualism is a key association between fishes. The silver batfish Monodactylus argenteus is an estuarine facultative cleaner, and estuaries are among the least studied environments known to harbour cleaning fish. I describe and illustrate herein for the first time the silver batfish cleaning in larval phase, in addition to servicing two large bottom–dwelling clients, and cleaning pufferfish with fungus–like skin condition and tumours or a seriously emaciated body. The silver batfish stands out as the estuarine cleaner with the largest assemblage of clients, totalling nine species. I note the possibility that the fungus may spread from client to cleaner and from cleaner to another client, the pufferfish perhaps acting as disease spreaders.