Cleaner Fish and Fish Eggs: Do They Eat Them?

Yes, some cleaner fish species are known to eat the eggs of other fish. For example, the rosy barb (Puntius conchonius), which is commonly kept in aquariums as a cleaner fish, has been observed to consume the eggs of other fish species such as zebrafish and bitterlings. Similarly, the loach species Botia macracantha has also been reported to feed on the eggs of other fish.

It's important to note that not all cleaner fish species exhibit egg-eating behavior. Some cleaner fish, such as the neon goby (Elacatinus oceanops), primarily feed on parasites and mucus from larger fish and do not typically consume fish eggs. Therefore, it is essential to research the specific species of cleaner fish before introducing them into a pond or aquarium to ensure that they are compatible with the other fish present.