Cleaner fish optimization algorithm: a new bio-inspired meta-heuristic optimization algorithm

This paper proposes a new meta-heuristic optimization algorithm called Cleaner Fish Optimization algorithm (CFO) inspired by cleaner fish. The CFO simulates the movement behavior of cleaner fish when performing “cleaning services" and the behavior of female may change its sex to become a male, and defines two modes of position update. In addition, a two-generation cycle operation strategy is proposed to realize the optimization process. To verify the effectiveness of the CFO algorithm, 23 well-known CEC benchmark functions, CEC-2017 benchmark functions and 4 engineering design problems are adopted. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm has a faster convergence rate and better optimal solution when it compared with several other meta-heuristic algorithms.