Remora remora (Linnaeus, 1758)
Shark sucker
Remora remora
photo by Béarez, P.

Family:  Echeneidae (Remoras)
Max. size:  86.4 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 1,070.0 g
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 200 m
Distribution:  Cosmopolitan in warm waters.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 22-26; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 22-24. Dark brownish grey in color (Ref. 4389). During the course of development, fin is transformed into a suction disc (Ref. 35388). Deeper-bodied than Echeneis naucrates (Ref. 37816).
Biology:  Usually associated with sharks but also attaches itself to other large fishes, sea turtles and even ships (Ref. 2850, 58302); found in gill chambers, fins and body surface (Ref. 5951). Sometimes free-swimming (Ref. 2850). Younger individual is more active as parasite pickers (Ref. 26938). Feeds on parasitic copepods (Ref. 35388).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 23 August 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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