Pilot Fish

Accompanies large sharks during oceanic wanderings to feed on the left-overs, as well as on their parasites and excrement. Aside from sharks, this species has a semi-obligate commensal relationship with rays, other fishes and turtles. Feeds on scraps of host's food, small fishes and invertebrates (Ref. 5288). Young are found at or near the surface of oceanic waters (Ref. 9283). Young are usually associated with jellyfishes and drifting seaweeds (Refs. 2850; 9563). Marketed fresh and salted/dried (Ref. 9283).

Feeds on scraps of host's left-overs, parasites and excrement; also on small fishes and invertebrates

circumtropical in tropical seas; Western Atlantic: Nova Scotia, Canada to Argentina

nektonic

oceanic species with a semi-obligate commensal relationship with sharks, rays, other bony fishes and turtles

Known from seamounts and knolls