This study compared the frequency with which different parrotfish individuals—initial (IP) and terminal (TP)—of three species associate with cleaner and follower species at Fernando de Noronha Archipelago. Only TP individuals posed at bottom-based cleaning stations. IP individuals were followed more often by the Noronha wrasse (Thalassoma noronhanum) than TP parrotfish. When following parrotfish, the Noronha wrasse capitalized upon drifting particles and occasionally cleaned them ‘on the move’ when they momentarily interrupted their feeding. Probably IP individuals were followed more often by the Noronha wrasse because they forage more often than the TP and thus make more drifting particles available to the wrasse. Since the IP individuals were cleaned by T. noronhanum while foraging, they visit cleaning stations less often than TP individuals.
