| 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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