182 FISH GALLERY. 



Echeneiformes (Sucking-fishes) . 



The Echeneiformes constitute a small division of the Acantho- 

 pterygian fishes, containing a single family, the Echeneidae, and 

 characterised by the anterior dorsal fin being set well forward upon 

 the top of the flattened head, and modified into a sucker by the 

 right and left halves of the fin-rays being bent outwards so as to 

 form a paired row of transversely placed lamellae with rough edges. 

 The margin of the sucking disc is soft and membranous (see 

 isolated sucker, 808) . The mouth is terminal, and the mandible 

 advanced ; the second dorsal and the anal fins are long in the 

 base, without spines, and opposed to each other ; the pectoral fins 

 are inserted high up the body, the pelvic fins are thoracic in 

 position and have each one spine and five soft fin-rays. The 

 Echeneidae were formerly regarded as allied to such Scombriform 

 fishes as Elecate (712, Wall-case 15), but are now considered to 

 occupy an isolated position. 

 Remora. The Remora or Sucking-fish, Echeneis remora, 807, and fig. 86, 

 is found in all tropical and warm seas, and is sometimes caught as far 



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mm' 



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Fig. 86. — Remora or Sucking-fish, Echeneis remora. 



north as the south coast of England. It attaches itself by means 

 of its adhesive disc to Sharks, Whales, Turtles, and even to boats, 

 and is thus carried from place to place. It is not a parasite and does 

 no harm to the large animal to which it is attached. When thrown 

 on the deck of a ship a Remora will lie on its back and cling so 

 closely to the wood by its head sucker that it can only be dislodged 

 by a forward sliding motion. The Remora feeds on small fishes 

 and probably also on the skin parasites that infest large fishes 

 and Whales. 



