Macroalgae Farms
Remora Shark Sucker
Key Features:
Estimated delivery between September 06 and September 08.
About this item
Remora Shark Sucker
The Remora Shark Sucker (family Echeneidae, typically Echeneis naucrates) is one of the most biologically fascinating and genuinely unusual fish available in the entire saltwater hobby. An elongated dark grey to brown body carries a broad dark lateral stripe bordered by narrow white stripes running from jaw to tail base, punctuated by a distinctive oval suction disc on top of the head — the modified dorsal fin that allows Remoras to attach themselves to sharks, rays, turtles, and large fish for a free ride through the ocean — creating one of the most instantly recognizable and biologically remarkable silhouettes in the entire ocean. Free-swimming when no host is available, Remoras deliver display presence unlike anything else in the reef trade — a genuinely intelligent and responsive fish with a real relationship-based feeding behavior.
What makes the Remora Shark Sucker such a coveted specialty piece is the combination of dramatic biology, genuine natural intelligence, and the potential for authentic host-relationship displays. In their natural habitat, Remoras attach to sharks, rays, sea turtles, whales, dolphins, and large bony fishes using their suction disc, riding along and feeding on scraps from the host's meals — a genuine symbiotic relationship that reef keepers with appropriate host livestock (particularly bamboo sharks, rays, or large predatory fish) can authentically recreate in a large predator display. Juvenile Remoras can also act as cleaner fish, picking parasites from willing tankmates. Highly intelligent and responsive, Remoras recognize their keeper and are enthusiastic feeders that make excellent additions to large predator display tanks.
The Remora Shark Sucker is a genuine specialty fish that requires a very large, dedicated aquarium setup — this is not a reef community fish and is not suitable for typical home reef aquariums. Adult Remoras reach 26 to 43 inches in length and require a minimum tank size of 300 gallons or larger, ideally with a compatible host species (bamboo shark, ray, or large predatory fish) already established in the system. Remoras are poor swimmers due to a lack of swim bladder and rely on a two-lobed liver for buoyancy, so they benefit significantly from a host attachment or stable resting rockwork. Remoras are extremely sensitive to copper-based medications, which are fatal — quarantine tanks and display systems must be copper-free. For serious specialist keepers with dedicated predator display tanks, appropriate host livestock, and the space to accommodate a large adult fish, the Remora Shark Sucker delivers one of the most biologically unique and dramatic display animals available in the entire marine trade.
Available Options
Care Information
| Temperature | 72–78°F (22–26°C) |
| Salinity | 1.023–1.026 — stable parameters required |
| Tank Size | 300 gallon minimum — large predator display with host species preferred |
| Diet | Carnivore — mysis, chopped seafood, silversides, frozen preparations |
| Temperament | Peaceful — will attempt to attach to large fish, rays, or sharks |
| Care Level | Advanced — specialty predator-tank fish |
Special Considerations
🔍 Aquarium Insights
The Remora Shark Sucker is one of the most biologically unique and dramatic fish available to specialty predator-tank keepers:
- Distinctive head-top suction disc — the modified dorsal fin that allows Remoras to attach to hosts
- Highly intelligent and responsive — recognizes keeper and engages during feeding
- A specialty predator-tank fish that recreates one of the ocean's most fascinating symbiotic relationships — the kind of animal that anchors a serious large-predator display for advanced marine keepers
Learn More
For detailed species information, compatibility, and care tips, visit our Species Library.
Due to natural variation, the Remora Shark Sucker you receive will be hand-selected from current availability and may vary in size, color intensity, and stripe pattern. Specific size and coloration cannot be guaranteed and are determined at packing time. Juvenile specimens will grow to substantial adult size (26 to 43 inches) — please plan tank size accordingly before purchase.
Photographs are representative examples. Individual specimens may vary in size, color intensity, and marking pattern.
This species requires a minimum 300-gallon predator display and copper-free system. The Remora Shark Sucker is a specialty fish and is not recommended for typical home reef aquariums. Buyers should ensure their system is fully appropriate for a large predator display before purchase.
Recently Viewed Products
- Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
- Opens in a new window.