Organism
Cleaner Fish
TL;DR
Small fish (typically cleaner wrasses) that engage in mutualistic relationships with larger 'client' fish by eating parasites from their bodies.
Small fish (typically cleaner wrasses) that engage in mutualistic relationships with larger 'client' fish by eating parasites from their bodies. The relationship demonstrates third-party enforcement dynamics - when cleaners cheat by biting to eat mucus instead of parasites, client fish punish them by chasing them away and refusing their services.
This biological example illustrates what happens when the enforcer becomes a cheater: the entire trust system breaks down unless punishment is swift and severe.
Notable Traits of Cleaner Fish
- Eat parasites from larger client fish (mutualism)
- Some cleaners cheat by biting to eat mucus instead
- Client fish punish cheaters by refusing future services
- Demonstrates third-party enforcement dynamics