Fin's Fish Guide
The Live sharksucker (Echeneis naucrates) is a saltwater fish of the family Echeneidae that grows up to 110 cm.
Widespread in warm and temperate seas worldwide, swimming freely or hitching a ride on large animals near coast and reef.
Description
The live sharksucker or remora is a slender fish of the family Echeneidae (remoras) reaching about 1.1 metres. Its most striking feature is the oval sucking disc on top of the flat head - a modified first dorsal fin with transverse lamellae - with which the fish attaches to sharks, rays, sea turtles, large fish and even ships' hulls to 'hitch a ride'. The body is silvery-grey with a dark lengthwise band. The species is widely distributed in warm seas worldwide, swimming freely or hitchhiking near coast and reef. It eats the host's food scraps and parasites, supplemented with small fish. For its remarkable sucking disc it is a striking sight, but it has no fishery value.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Live sharksucker?
The Live sharksucker has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Slender fish with an oval sucking disc on top of the head - a modified first dorsal fin - with which it hitches a ride on sharks, turtles and ships.
Where does the Live sharksucker live?
The Live sharksucker lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water. Widespread in warm and temperate seas worldwide, swimming freely or hitching a ride on large animals near coast and reef.
How big does the Live sharksucker get?
The Live sharksucker grows to a maximum of about 110 cm. On average the species is around 66 cm.
Is the Live sharksucker dangerous to humans?
No, the Live sharksucker is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Live sharksucker edible?
The Live sharksucker is not usually eaten.
More photos
Easily confused with
These species look like the Live sharksucker and live in the same waters.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Echeneis
More from the family Echeneidae
Want the complete picture on the Live sharksucker?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Live sharksucker is one of 12,519 species in the app.