Common remora fact sheet

Remora remora | Common remora

The common remora is one of the six remora species (Family Echeneidae) that occurs in the Azores. Remoras have an elongated body and are characterised by having a modified first dorsal fin and a head in the form of a suction cup. This suction cup or disc on the top of the head permits the remora to attach to other animals such as sharks, mantas, turtles, whales and dolphins. They are even known to attach to the hull of boats. This type of relationship with a host is commensal, meaning that one (the remora) benefits without harming the other (the host animal). The remora benefits by aquiring protection and food from the host. Although the bond is strong, remoras can also temporarary swim free in the open ocean or in coastal areas. Remoras are found in warm waters up to depths of 100 m. Little is known about the reproductive biology, although reproductive couples are known to share the same host.

Length:
35 – 40 cm (max 86,4 cm)

Diet:
On hosts:  food scraps, ectoparasites and exrement of the host;
Free-swimming animals: small fish and invertebrates

Population: Unknown

Conservation Status: Not evaluated

In other languages:
Portuguese: Rémora
Spanish: Rémora
French: Rémora
Italian: Remore
German: Schiffshalter
Dutch: Remoras/zuigbaarzen
Swedish: Sugfisk/remora fisk
Norwegian: Sugefisk
Danish: –
Finnish: Remorat
Polish:Podnawkowate
Russian:  Прилипаловые