| Remarks |
Most abundant remora in warm waters (Ref. 4389). Occurs near as well as far from the coast (Ref. 5217). Often found free-swimming in shallow inshore areas and around coral reefs (Refs. 26938, 58534, 9773). Attaches temporarily to a variety of hosts including sharks, rays, large bony fishes or sea turtles, whales, dolphins and also to ships (Also Ref. 9773). May follow divers (Ref. 9710). Feeds on small fishes, bits of its host's prey and host's parasites (Ref. 26938). Juvenile occasionally acts as reef station-based cleaners, where they service parrotfishes (Ref. 40095). Free-swimming or attached to host, most often to sharks. Feeds on zooplankton, benthic organisms and detritus (Ref. 33). Acts as cleaners of several species of reef fishes (Ref. 40095). Sometimes used by natives to aid in fishing; a line is tied to the caudal peduncle of the remora and then is released; upon attaching to another fish, the remora and its host are hauled in by the fisher (Ref. 9682). Inhabits inshore waters as opposed to the offshore habitat of the other members of its family (Ref. 9773). |