Distribution:
Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific
Habitat:
Marine
Remarks:
Found circumglobally, the remoras or sharksuckers are among the most unique fishes in the Perciformes order. They possess a remarkable sucking disc on top of their flattened head, which is formed from the spinal dorsal fin and contains 10-28 traverse movable ridges. These modified ridges can create a powerful suction when they are erected; therefore, the remoras can attached themselves to larger fishes, depending on them for rides due to the remoras’ lack of a swimbladder. Moreover, they can also feed on parasites and diseased tissues from their hosts. Their body is smooth, elongate and is covered with small, cycloid scales.
This family comprises four genera, with 8 species.
References: Nelson 2006; Moyle and Cech, Jr. 2000