whitefin sharksucker
Echeneis neucratoides
A remora of the western Atlantic, linked to reefs, which attaches to other animals by the adhesive disc on its head. For anglers, it is rare on the line and should be released carefully.
Also called: agarrador-de-nadadeira-branca, rêmora, pega, whitefin sharksucker
- maximum
- 75 cm
who is the whitefin sharksucker
Fish of the family Echeneidae, with an adhesive disc on its head, with which it attaches to sharks, rays and other large animals. This species reaches 75 cm, with a common size of around 50 cm, and is associated with reefs, both near and far from the coast. It occurs from Massachusetts, USA, and from the Bahamas, the northern Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean to northern South America. In fishing, it ends up in commercial catches and is of no importance as a sport fish. Because it lives attached to larger animals, it is almost never the angler's target.
Essential profile. Identification, where it occurs and rules, with data from FishBase and the cited regulations. Season, time of day, technique and bait are added once we have a good source for the whitefin sharksucker; in the meantime, see the similar species.
identification
Elongated fish, with an adhesive disc on top of its head, the family's trademark and the first thing to look for. It is often seen attached to sharks, rays or turtles, or near reefs. Its popular names in Spanish (aleta blanca, filo blanco) and in English refer to fins with a white edge, which is the clue for telling it apart from the other remoras of the region, Remora remora and Echeneis naucrates. Even so, identification takes care.
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Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.
Essential profile: the index uses a general fish model (weather, sun, moon and tide), without a season or time of day specific to this species.
where found
In Latin America it occurs in Mexico, Cuba, Colombia, Venezuela, Trinidad and the Guianas, both near and far from the coast.
Habitat: Reef marine waters, near and far from the coast, usually attached to other large animals.
rules for the whitefin sharksucker
Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.
We found no species-specific rule beyond the region's general rules.
catch and release
catch and release Releasing the fish alive, quickly and with a wet hand. During a closed season it isn't always allowed: what the regulation says applies.
It has no spine or venom. When releasing it, hold the body with wet hands and do not pull on the disc on its head.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.00263, b = 3.17; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa)). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.
estimated weight
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sources and references
Essential profile: size, length-weight, depth, countries and conservation come from FishBase and the cited regulations, and the texts were written from those sources. Season, time of day, sensitivities, technique and baits and lures are not included yet, because we did not find a good source for this species.
- scientific FishBase: Echeneis neucratoides (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Echeneis neucratoidesNames by country and language.
