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Echeneidae

File:Remora_remora.jpg · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons

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Echeneidae

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Also known as remora

The remora (), sometimes called suckerfish or sharksucker, is any of a family (Echeneidae) of ray-finned fish in the order Carangiformes. Depending on species, they grow to long. Their distinctive first dorsal fins take the form of a modified oval, sucker-like organ with slat-like structures that open and close to create suction and take a firm hold against the skin of larger marine animals. The disk is made up of stout, flexible membranes that can be raised and lowered to generate suction. By sliding backward, the remora can increase the suction, or it can release itself by swimming forward.

OverviewAI-generated

Echeneidae is a family of fish within the class Teleostei and phylum Chordata. The taxon is classified under the order Carangiformes, though it has also been associated with the order Perciformes. Described by Rafinesque in 1810, the family holds an accepted status in taxonomic records. Commonly referred to as remoras, these organisms inhabit marine and brackish environments.

Records for this family are held by institutions including ECOSUR, UCMP, TCWC, CMN, and USNM. Documented occurrences span across Mexico, the United States, Barbados, Honduras, and Brazil. A total of 71,285 occurrences have been logged, with 110 specific records and two media items available in the iDigBio database.

Synthesized by Vinony from 26 facts across 6 sources: Wikidata, GBIF, Gbif Occ, iDigBio, WoRMS, Vinony graph. Generated from structured data (not the Wikipedia text) and checked against those facts — may still contain errors.

Species

remoras

Echeneidae

FAMILY

  1. KingdomAnimalia
  2. PhylumChordata
  3. ClassTeleostei
  4. OrderPerciformes
  5. FamilyEcheneidae
Habitatmarine, brackish
Observations recorded71,285

via GBIF

Museum specimens

Specimen records
110
With media
2
Family
Echeneidae
Collections
ECOSUR, UCMP, TCWC, CMN, USNM, CAS
Recorded in
Mexico, United States, Barbados, Honduras, Brazil, Sierra Leone, Costa Rica, French Polynesia

~7 min read

Encyclopedic overview

10 sections
Contents
  • Evolution
  • Characteristics
  • Habitat
  • Physiology
  • Use for fishing
  • In human culture
  • Gallery
  • See also
  • References
  • External links

The remora (), sometimes called suckerfish or sharksucker, is any of a family (Echeneidae) of ray-finned fish in the order Carangiformes. Depending on species, they grow to long. Their distinctive first dorsal fins take the form of a modified oval, sucker-like organ with slat-like structures that open and close to create suction and take a firm hold against the skin of larger marine animals. The disk is made up of stout, flexible membranes that can be raised and lowered to generate suction. By sliding backward, the remora can increase the suction, or it can release itself by swimming forward. Remoras sometimes attach to small boats, and have been observed attaching to divers as well. They swim well on their own, with a sinuous, or curved, motion.

== Evolution == left|thumb|Fossil specimen of Opisthomyzon Remoras are thought to be most closely related to the cobia and the dolphinfish, two other elongate members of the suborder Carangoidei. Together, they are thought to comprise the superfamily Echeneoidea. In some treatments, the Echeneoidea is instead restricted to just the remoras and Opisthomyzon.

Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “Echeneidae” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.

Gallery (9)