Remoras

Live sharksucker (Echeneis naucrates)

The Live sharksucker (Echeneis naucrates) belongs to the family Echeneidae (remoras) and is found in the Red Sea, with a wider Indo-Pacific range. It is a carnivore and usually seen alone. It reaches about 110 cm and is found at 1–50 m depth. IUCN conservation status: Least Concern. It is not dangerous to divers.

Live sharksucker (Echeneis naucrates), a Red Sea fish of the remoras family
Photo: iNaturalist / Wikimedia Commons

Quick facts

Scientific nameEcheneis naucrates
FamilyRemoras (Echeneidae)
Common name (IT)Rémora
Common name (EN)Live sharksucker
Maximum size110 cm
Depth1–50 m
DistributionRed Sea and Indo-Pacific
IUCN statusLC — Least Concern

Description

Present throughout the Red Sea, with a broader range across the tropical Indo-Pacific.

Where it lives

Present throughout the Red Sea, with a broader range across the tropical Indo-Pacific.

  • Red Sea
  • Indo-Pacific

Frequently asked questions

What family does the Live sharksucker belong to?
The Live sharksucker (Echeneis naucrates) belongs to the family Echeneidae (remoras).
Is the Live sharksucker dangerous?
It is not dangerous to divers. As with any reef animal, do not touch or handle it.
Is the Live sharksucker endemic to the Red Sea?
No — it occurs in the Red Sea but its range extends across the Indo-Pacific.
How big does the Live sharksucker get?
It reaches a maximum length of about 110 cm.

Explore the Live sharksucker in 3D in the interactive atlas →