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Related FAQs: Remoras

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/A Diversity of Aquatic Life

The Remoras, Family Echeneidae, Rough-Housers in Aquariums For Sure!

Bob Fenner

Echeneis naucrates

Some free-living, others commensals, still other species of remoras should be considered parasitic... "living in or on other species where they derive nutrition, or protection, harming their hosts to degrees". Too rough and tough additions for all but the hugest, most dynamic fish only systems.

Echeneis naucrates Linnaeus 1758, the Remora or Sharksucker. Circumtropical. To 110 cm. in length. Most noted for their modified dorsal fin attachment organ, by which they join temporarily with a variety of hosts (whales, dolphins, ships, divers...). Even used by humans for a fishing tool! A free-swimming small individual in Fiji and a larger pair swimming about in the Bahamas.

Bigger PIX:
The images in this table are linked to large (desktop size) copies. Click on "framed" images to go to the larger size.

Echeneis neucratoides Zuiew 1786, the Sharksucker. West Atlantic, Massachusetts to N. South America. To 75 cm. Distinguished from its congener in the TWA by its broader white caudal markings. Here in Jamaica.

http://fishbase.sinica.edu.tw/Summary/speciesSummary.php?ID=3543&genusname=Echeneis&speciesname=neucratoides

Bibliography/Further Reading:

Donovan, Paul. 1997. Remoras: Traveling companions. TFH 3/97.

Hemdal, Jay. 1985. The Remora (Echeneis naucrates) FAMA 11/85.


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