Remora remora (Linnaeus, 1758)

Common remora

Species recognized by FishBase external link, R Froese & D Pauly (eds) in 
IUCN Red List Status: NOT EVALUATED external link Showing: scientific names

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Remora remora (Linnaeus, 1758)

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Remora remora
Remora remora
Remora remora
Remora remora
Remora remora (Linnaeus, 1758)
Remora remora (Linnaeus, 1758)

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General Description

Description

Source and Additional Information
Supplier
Shorefishes of the Tropical Eastern Pacific Online Information System external link
Copyright
© Copyright 2008 to 2009 - Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. Some rights reserved external link
Author
Linnaeus, C.
Location
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Citation

Common names: remora (English), rémora (Espanol)
 
Remora remora (Linnaeus, 1758)


Common remora



Elongate, moderately robust; distinctive flat head with sucking disc of 16-22 plates, reaches to about end of pectoral fin; lower jaw projecting; gill rakers 28-37, 26-28 lower rakers; dorsal rays 21-27; anal rays 20-24; pectoral rays 25-32; tail fin slightly concave to straight; pelvics broadly joined to belly.



Uniformly dark greyish brown.


Size: grows to 86 cm.

Habitat: commonly attached to sharks, sometimes in gill chamber, but also on large fishes, rays, and turtles.

Depth: 0-200 m?

Circumtropical; throughout the tropical eastern Pacific except for the upper Gulf of California.

Biology

Source and Additional Information
Supplier
FishBase external link
Copyright
Some rights reserved external link
Recorder
Christine Papasissi
Location
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Citation

Usually associated with sharks but also attaches itself to other large fishes, sea turtles and even ships (Ref. 2850, 58302); found in gill chambers, fins and body surface (Ref. 5951). Sometimes free-swimming (Ref. 2850). Younger individual is more active as parasite pickers (Ref. 26938). Feeds on parasitic copepods (Ref. 35388).
References
"Remora remora (Linnaeus, 1758)". Encyclopedia of Life, available from "http://www.eol.org/pages/214644". Accessed 17 Mar 2010.