1 62 A NATURAL HISTORY OF THE SEAS 



A better known partnership is that of the Mediterranean 

 Fierasfer that lives inside large Sea Cucumbers. Yet 

 another familiar example is that of the Coral Fish {Amphi- 

 prton)^ already described in the chapter on Coelenterates. 

 Also amongst the gate-crashers is the little fish Nomeus 

 that shelters amongst the stinging cells of the justly 

 dreaded Portuguese Man-o'-War, and the Horse Mackerel 

 that takes up its abode beneath giant Jellyfishes. 



Commensalism is a term applied to creatures that actually 

 feed at the same table, as in the case of the Hermit Crab 

 and Anemones mentioned earlier. It is doubtful, however, 

 whether some of the fishes often placed in this category 

 have any right to such a position, since they apparently 

 bring no food to their host, neither do they share his 

 meals, but merely benefit from such protection as may be 

 afforded by its large size, armature, stinging cells, or other 

 defensive weapons. 



A good host must, one imagines, find the benefits he 

 offers at times somewhat embarrassing. Thus the Sea 

 Cucumbers sheltering Fierasfer may on occasion be invaded 

 by seven of these fish at one time, and according to Dr. 

 William Beebe the Jellyfish common in Bermuda, though 

 measuring only four inches across, is at times called upon to 

 accommodate over a dozen small fishes known as 

 " Bumpers." These fish are evidently sheltered at some 

 risk, for in the event of their coming into contact with the 

 stinging cells they at once forfeit their life and provide the 

 host with a repast. 



The most famous of all these so-called parasitic fish 

 is the Sharp Sucker or Remora, a fish previously referred 

 to when discussing the subject of fins. 



