Remora osteochir (Cuvier, 1829)
Marlin sucker
Remora osteochir
photo by Devarapalli, P.

Family:  Echeneidae (Remoras)
Max. size:  40 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic-oceanic; marine; depth range - 200 m, oceanodromous
Distribution:  Warm and temperate seas of all oceans. Western Central Pacific: Guam (Ref. 35721). Eastern Pacific: southern California, USA to Peru (Ref. 2850). Western Atlantic: Massachusetts, USA and northern Gulf of Mexico to Brazil (Ref. 7251). Eastern Central Atlantic: Madeira Island (Ref. 74541).
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Oceanic species with a strong preference for marlins and sailfish as hosts, but may occasionally cling to other large fishes. Attaches to the body or gill chamber of the host (Ref. 10791). Oviparous. Distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 57896).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 23 August 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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