Species: Echeneis neucratoides, Whitefin Sharksucker, Whitefin Sharksucker Remora

Echeneis neucratoides Zuiew, 1786

Whitefin Sharksucker, Whitefin Sharksucker Remora

Body long & slender; head disc with 21(18-28) plates, reaches over ~center of pectoral fin; jaws broad, lower jaw projecting, top jaw not protractile; simple teeth on jaws and center of roof of mouth; operculum without spines; gill rakers 1-3 + 14; dorsal and anal fin bases long, 2-3 times head length; dorsal rays 36 (34-42); anal rays 33 (32-38); pectorals high on body, pointed, 21-24; pelvics under pectoral base, close-set, I, 5; scales small, smooth, imbedded; tail fin slightly rounded.

Grey, white edged black stripe along side from tip of lower jaw through eye to tail fin, stripe broader at front; tips of dorsal, anal and tail fins broadly white (more broadly white than in E. naucrates).

Size: reaches 75 cm.

Oceanic but often see around reefs. Attaches to a wide variety of hosts, including sharks, rays, large fishes, turtles and whates, but frequently free-living.

Depth: 0-50 m.

Maine to the S Caribbean.