Sharksucker
Echeneis naucrates
Sharksucker (Echeneis naucrates) is a pelagic remora found worldwide in tropical and warm temperate seas. It rides sharks, rays, turtles, and boats with a suction disc on its head and is usually encountered more as a hitchhiker than a target fish.
Identification points
- Long, flat suction disc on top of the head with transverse lamellae
- Dark gray-brown body with pale underside and a faint pale lateral stripe
- Slender elongate body with a large triangular pectoral fin and forked tail
Habitat
Offshore and coastal pelagic waters, often around sharks, rays, sea turtles, billfish, drifting objects, piers, wrecks, and boats; occasionally enters estuaries and harbors.
Bait notes
Not a standard gamefish; small pieces of fish, squid, or shrimp may take one when it is free-swimming. Small baitfish-pattern jigs or cut bait around boats, buoys, and pilings can also work.
Behavior
Uses its suction disc to attach to larger animals or structure, feeding opportunistically on scraps, small fishes, plankton, and parasites dislodged by hosts. It is generally non-aggressive and not a common sportfish target.
Caution
No major human danger, but the species may pick up ciguatera risk if eaten in tropical areas and is generally not sought for food. Be careful when handling fish taken from shark- or turtle-associated waters and check local rules before retaining any remora.
Fishing notes
Usually caught incidentally while fishing around sharks or floating structure. If targeting one for observation or collection, use light tackle and small hooks with minimal weight; release promptly because it is not a regular angling species.