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10 November 2009
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Remora
Remora remora

Remoras are known as shark-suckers. They use their large suctoral disc to cling to sharks and other large fish, feeding on their parasites and leftover food.

Subspecies
There are about eight species.

Statistics
They reach a maximum size of 86cm (34in).

Physical Description
They are dark brownish grey in colour with an elongated body. The most distinguishing feature, a sucking disc is located on the top of the head. This suction device is a modification of a spiny dorsal fin.

Distribution
They are found worldwide

Habitat
They are sometimes free swimming but are usually found attached to hosts such as sharks or marine mammals.

Diet
They generally feed on the parasites, usually copepods, but will also take any available small prey and leftover scraps.

Behaviour
The remora uses the suction disc to attach itself to other fish, marine mammals and sometimes ships. It feeds on parasites and scraps of food from the host fish while getting a free ride and saving valuable energy.

Different species prefer different hosts.

Conservation status
Remora are not threatened amd are common throughout the oceans

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