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Phtheirichthys lineatus (Menzies, 1791) Slender suckerfish |
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photo by
SFSA |
| Family: | Echeneidae (Remoras) | |||
| Max. size: | 76 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | pelagic-oceanic; marine; depth range 0 - 5 m, oceanodromous | |||
| Distribution: | Worldwide in tropical and subtropical waters. Western Atlantic: South Carolina, USA and northern Gulf of Mexico to northern South America (Ref. 7251). Western Central Pacific: Guam (Ref. 35720). | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 32-38; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 31-38. Bluish black above, white below; 3 stripes along sides (upper pale blue, middle black, lower silvery). | |||
| Biology: | Rare (Ref. 4389), oceanic species. Most often found attached to barracudas but also to other fishes and sea turtles. Clings to body of host and also found inside gill chambers. | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 23 August 2012 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||