Remora
the sucking-fish, or sucker; a popular name for any species of the genus Echeneis; specifically, E. remora, about eight inches long, common in the Mediterranean. By means of the suctorial disk, a transformation of the spinous dorsal fin, the species can attach themselves to any flat surface. The ad- RÉMUSAT hesion is so strong that the fish can be dislodged only with difficulty, unless pushed forward with a sliding motion.
Being bad swimmers, they attach themselves to vessels, or to animals having greater power of locomotion than themselves; but they cannot be regarded as parasites, as they do not obtain_their food at the expense of their host. It has been believed that the remora is able to arrest vessels in their course; this is fabulous, though the attachment of one of the larger species may retard the progress of sailing, especially when, as is sometimes the case, several individuals accompany the same ship.