| Common remora | |
|---|---|
| museum specimen, dorsal view | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Echeneidae |
| Genus: | Remora |
| Species: | R. remora |
| Binomial name | |
| Remora remora (Linnaeus, 1758) |
|
The common remora, Remora remora, is a pelagic marine fish[1] belonging to family Echeneidae. Remora remora is different from other remoras in the family Echeneidae by the modification of its dorsal fin.[2] The dorsal fin, which has 22 to 26 soft rays, acts like a suction cup, creating a vacuum[3] that allows it to attach to larger marine animals such as whales, dolphins, sharks and sea turtles.[4]
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The common remora has a suckerlike dorsal fin and an anal fin. Its body can be brown, black or grey in color.[5]
Remora remora and its host seem to partake in a symbiotic relationship; the common remora does not seem to have a negative effect on its host. The host provides the remora with fast moving water to bathe its gills, a steady flow of food, transportation, and protection.[6] The common remora's attachment to one host can last for up to 3 months.[7] During this time, the remora can move its attachment site if it feels threatened.[8] The common remora cannot survive in still water; it needs water flow over its gills to provide it oxygen.
This remora is commonly found in warm marine waters and have been seen in the Western Mediterranean, the Atlantic, as well as the North Sea.
It has been suggested that a mating couple may attach to the same host, and have host fidelity.[9] It is not clear when during the year the common remora spawns, and little else is known about the fish's reproductive behavior.
The remora consumes food scraps from its host, as well as plankton and parasitic copepods.
There are no known negative impacts for humans. Remoras can be caught as fishing bycatch and put in aquaria.[10] Remoras have been used in fishing. Humans may attach fishing line to the remora and waiting for it to cling to a larger fish.[11]