7 photos - 1 species

Introduction

 There are 3 genera and 8 species.

The ship mounts have a large adhesive disc on their head.

This is used to attach themselves to larger fish such as sharks and rays, as well as turtles and whales.

This gives them a free ride and they also get leftover food.

In Maldivian they are called attamas, which means spider monkeys.

Depending on the species, they grow to between 30 cm and 1.10 metres in size.

Echeneis naucrates

Live sharksucker or Slender sharksucker