denise
10-05-2008, 10:48 PM
Remoras, also known as suckerfish, are pelagic marine fish usually found in tropical and warmer oceans, clinging onto sharks, turtles, bony fishes and other marine animals. They usually measure between 1–3 feet in length, and their most distinctive feature is that their first dorsal fin is actually a modified sucker that opens and closes, creating a suction that allows them to have a firm hold against the skin of other animals.
By sliding backward, remoras can increase their suction, and they release themselves by swimming forwards. Well adapted to this lifestyle of “hitching a ride” on other larger fish, they lack a swim bladder. However they also swim quite well on their own.
Remoras usually associate with specific “host” species: sharks, manta rays, whales, turtles, ocean sunfish and dugongs. In addition of clinging to their hosts, smaller remoras will often travel in the mouths or gills of larger fish. Even though the remora is often physically attached to the host, they are not believed to be parasites. Instead they are considered to have a symbiotic relationship with their host, they do not hurt the host, instead each is mutually beneficial to the other. Remoras get free transport, protection and food from their larger hosts, and in return act as cleaner fish and remove potentially harmful parasites from their hosts. It is not known whether large sharks just tolerate the remora's presence or are just unable to catch them, but no remoras have ever been found in a sharks stomach. Instead many small specimens are seen clinging to the inside’s of sharks mouths!
http://www.scubadiver.cc/fishid/remorabob1.jpg
Remora off Cape Canaveral
Photo courtesy of Bob Rosell
By sliding backward, remoras can increase their suction, and they release themselves by swimming forwards. Well adapted to this lifestyle of “hitching a ride” on other larger fish, they lack a swim bladder. However they also swim quite well on their own.
Remoras usually associate with specific “host” species: sharks, manta rays, whales, turtles, ocean sunfish and dugongs. In addition of clinging to their hosts, smaller remoras will often travel in the mouths or gills of larger fish. Even though the remora is often physically attached to the host, they are not believed to be parasites. Instead they are considered to have a symbiotic relationship with their host, they do not hurt the host, instead each is mutually beneficial to the other. Remoras get free transport, protection and food from their larger hosts, and in return act as cleaner fish and remove potentially harmful parasites from their hosts. It is not known whether large sharks just tolerate the remora's presence or are just unable to catch them, but no remoras have ever been found in a sharks stomach. Instead many small specimens are seen clinging to the inside’s of sharks mouths!
http://www.scubadiver.cc/fishid/remorabob1.jpg
Remora off Cape Canaveral
Photo courtesy of Bob Rosell