Species: Remora australis, the Whalesucker, Whalesucker Remora

Remora australis (Bennett, 1840)

Whalesucker

Body elongate, robust; dorsal and anal bases < 2x head length; head disc very long (almost ½ body length), reaches beyond pectorals, with 24-28 plates; jaws broad, lower jaw projecting, top jaw not protractile; simple teeth on jaws and center of roof of mouth; operculum without spines; gill rakers 17-20, 13-19 lower rakers; pectoral short, blunt, 21-24 rays; dorsal and anal bases similar length, a little longer than head; dorsal 22-26 rays, anal 21-26 rays; pectorals rounded, high on body; pelvics long, pointed, under pectoral base, close-set, I, 5, broadly attached to belly; tail slightly concave (forked in juvenile); scales small, smooth, imbedded.