Echeneis neucratoides
Ecological Descriptors
|
Habitat |
Size (cm) |
Diet |
Behaviour |
Sex |
Pel or attached to host |
50 (max 75) |
Pisc, Cle |
I |
F |
Description:
Long, elongate body. Grey, white edged black stripe along side from tip of lower jaw through eye to caudal (tail) fin - the stripe is broader at the front. Wide white border on caudal (tail) fin (cf. Sharksucker ( E. naucrates) which has narrow borders). Foredorsal fin modified to form sucker on top-rear of head. Anal and tail fins broadly white .(cf. Sharksucker ( E. naucrates))
Ecology
Attaches to turtles, sharks, rays etc. Feeds on scraps of food discarded by their hosts, and may also consume the parasitic copepods on their skin.
This is a reef-associated species that has been recorded close to, and distantly from, the coast. It has a maximum size of 75 cm TL, but commonly to 50 cm TL. The maximum size is uncertain due to confusion with Echeneis naucrates.
Life Cycle
Pelagic larvae.
Whitefin Sharksucker
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