ANIMAL SPECIES:Slender Suckerfish, Echeneis naucrates (Linnaeus, 1758)
The Slender Suckerfish has an oval-shaped sucking disc on the top of the head. It uses the disc to attach to the bodies of larger animals.
Identification
The Slender Suckerfish which grows to 1 m in length, can vary in colour. It is often white with distinct dark stripes, but large individuals may be entirely grey.
It has an elongate body, tiny embedded scales and an oval-shaped sucking disc. This disc, which is a highly modified dorsal fin, is positioned from the top of the head to the anterior part of the body.
The pectoral fins of this species are positioned high on the sides of the body while the dorsal and anal fins are long-based with elevated leading rays.
The fish's lower jaw projects forward well beyond the upper jaw. The jaws, vomer and tongue have villiform teeth.
Size range
The species grows to about 1 m in length.Distribution
The Slender Suckerfish has a widespread distribution in most tropical and some warm temperate marine waters.
In Australia it is commonly seen from south-western Western Australia around the tropical north and south to the southern coast of New South Wales. It is infrequently observed in Victorian and Tasmanian waters.
Distribution by collection data
Biomaps map of Slender Suckerfish specimens in the Australian Museum collection.
Behaviour and adaptations
Feeding and Diet
When attached to a large predator, the Slender Suckerfish eats food scraps from the feeding activity of its host. It is also known to eat parasites off the host's body.
Other behaviours and adaptations
The Slender Suckerfish uses the sucking disc to attach to larger fishes, most commonly sharks and rays. But it has been seen attached to boats, marine mammals and even divers. This species is also seen free-swimming.
Classification
- Species:
- naucrates
- Genus:
- Echeneis
- Family:
- Echeneidae
- Order:
- Perciformes
- Class:
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
References
- Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
- Allen, G.R. & R. Swainston. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 201.
- Glover, C.J.M. in Gomon, M.F, Glover, . & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. State Print, Adelaide. Pp. 992.
- Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
- Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
- Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.
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A Slender Suckerfish at North Horn View full size
Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl
A Slender Suckerfish attached to a Leopard Shark View full size
Ian Shaw
© Ian Shaw
Sucking disc of a Slender Suckerfish View full size
John Pogoonoski
© John Pogoonoski
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