The Remora Family – Echeneidae

There are currently SIX members of the Remora or Echeneidae, one from the Atlantic Ocean and five found in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans,  presented in this website:

FROM THE ATLANTIC (1):

FROM THE ATLANTIC  AND THE PACIFIC (5):

The fish of the Remora or Echeneidae Family are also known as Sharksuckers and/or Suckerfish and in Mexico’s fishing areas as Remoras, with a universal one fits all common name of pega pega. There are currently 8 global members of the Remora Family that have been placed in four genera of which seven reside in Mexican waters, one in the Atlantic and seven in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

The Remoras are tropical and sub-tropical fish that live primarily in the open ocean and occasionally in coastal waters if the hosts to which they attach themselves wander into these areas. They have the ability to swim short distances on their own in a sinuous or curved motion. They can attach themselves to larger fish and marine animals and even boats through a sucking disc. Remoras require host attachment for food, water flow across their gills, and for protection. Some Remoras have a purely phoretic relationship with their hosts, that is, they interact with their host for the purpose of transportation, providing nothing in return, while other species will eat parasites from their host, thus providing a more mutually beneficial interaction. Most attach close to their hosts mouths and in gill areas of larger sharks and rays and eat the remains from their hosts’ meals. Some Remoras attach themselves to only 1 species; others will attach themselves to many different species of fish, whales, sea turtles, rays, sharks, and even boats. Smaller Remoras have also been known to fasten themselves onto fish such as sailfish, swordfish, and tuna. Others have much more specific host interactions, for example the White Suckerfish, Remora albescens, is found only in the mouth and gill chamber of manta rays. Some Remoras will be eaten by their hosts.

The Remoras have slender robust bodies that are normally between 30 cm (and 90 cm (1 feet) to 90 cm (3 feet) in length. Their head has a convex lower and a flat upper profile. Their lower jaw is projecting and their mouth is equipped with numerous small pointed teeth. Their distinctive first dorsal fin takes the form of a modified oval sucker-like organ with 10 to 28 slat-like structures (lamella) that open and close to create suction and take a firm hold of the larger marine animals. By sliding backward, the Remora can increase the suction; by swimming forward it can release the suction. The sucking disc can be seen in young fish of about 1.0 cm (0.4 inches) in length; they can attach to other species when they are 3.0 cm (1.2 inches) long. They have anal and soft dorsal fins that are similar in size and shape with long bases. Their pectoral fins are set high up on their sides. Remoras are typically uniform in color with smooth skin and are covered with small cycloid scales. They normally appear to be swimming upside down which is related to the attachment location on their hosts. Very little is known about the biology of the Remoras due to their need for fast moving water for survival, making study in captivity impossible.

In eastern Africa and northern Australia Remoras are used to catch turtles. This is achieved via a rope that is fastened to the Remora’s tail. When a turtle is sighted, the fish is released from the boat and usually heads directly for the turtle, fastening itself to the turtle’s shell, which allows both Remora and turtle to be hauled in. In Greek mythology, Remoras have been blamed for slowing ships and even stopping sailing ships.

Lamellae and Disc Length for Remoras

Common Name	Genus and Species	Lamellae	Disc Length vs SL
Marlinsucker	Remora osteochir	15 – 19	38 – 40%
Remora	Remora remora	16 – 22	31 – 33%
Sharksucker	Echeneis naucrates	18 – 28	31 – 33%
Slender Suckerfish	Phtheirichthys lineatus	9 – 11	20 – 22%
Spearfish Remora	Remora brachyptera	14 – 17	31 – 33%
Whalesucker	Remora australis	24 – 28	42 – 44%
White Suckerfish	Remora albescens	12 – 14	26 – 28%
Whitefin Sharksucker	Echeneis neucratoides	18 – 28	31 – 33%