Remora - Mythology

Mythology

See also: Echeneis

In ancient times, the remora was believed to stop a ship from sailing. In Latin, remora means "delay", while the genus name Echeneis comes from Greek echein ("to hold") and naus ("a ship"). In a notable account by Pliny the Younger, the remora is blamed for the defeat of Mark Antony at the Battle of Actium and (indirectly) for the death of Caligula. A modern version of the story is given by Jorge Luis Borges in Book of Imaginary Beings (1957).

Because of the shape of the jaws, appearance of the sucker, and coloration of the remora, it sometimes appears to be swimming upside down. This probably led to the older common name reversus, although this might also derive from the fact that the remora frequently attaches itself to the tops of manta rays or other fish, so that the remora is upside down while attached.

Remora shows its sucker-like organ

Nurse shark with remoras attending

Manta ray with remoras

Dugong with attached remora (Lamen Island, Epi, Vanuatu)

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