Diver Attacked by Remora [Video]
Remoras are thought to be creepy blood sucking fish that attach themselves to a host which is typically whales or sharks, but what about scuba divers?
(Photo by Phil Colarusso, U.S. EPA Government photo free use). Remora attached to a whale’s back travels upside down
Remoras are not actually blood sucking leeches and they generally do no harm to their hosts. However, the thought of one of these guys actually attaching to a scuba diver is rather creepy.
Stranger things have happened, but there have been incidences where a remora will try to attach to a scuba diver as is seen in the video referenced below.
H/T – YouTube Clips
In the clip above, the diver explains:
The reason I’v uploaded this clip is after a discussion on Reddit and the fact that there (currently) are no other videos on YouTube documenting this rare phenomenom. The clip and an interview got featured by the Daily Mail (UK)
Read more here on YouTube.com
Remora on a spotted dolphin. (Photo by Jessica Aschettino, Cascadia Research Collective).
Encountering a persistent remora can be scary for a diver and possibly cause panic that can lead to a perilous outcome if not managed correctly.
See video clip of a persistent remora trying to attach to a scuba diver below.
This diver keeps his composure well when an inquisitive remora takes an interest in him.
Read On for more about these strange fish
They look creepy and slimy enough, as though they are sucking the blood of their host, but remoras are not giant leeches – it turns out that while not entirely benign, remoras do little harm to their hosts in normal circumstances.
They don’t even hang on with their mouths; instead one of the fins on top has developed into a gripping surface that is used to clamp onto a passing whale or dolphin. When viewed from above, the gripping disk looks like the sole of a running shoe, which the fish controls with the aid of tiny barbs that help hook to the skin. Some species can reach the length of over thirty inches.(Wikipedia).
Images Source: Huffingtonpost.com
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I have had one bite my ear before.
I had one take a liking to me in Mexico when swimming with whale sharks, it kept bumping my GoPro! But it was more funny than scary!
I’m sorry but that diver is an idiot. I seen a remora cause serious damage to a females scalp.
I think the remora is just trying to tell him that he has his hair in his mask.
At the risk of scuba dan calling me an idiot as well, I’ve been diving with two remora that followed us for an hour, constantly trying to attach to my legs. It was amazing. They didn’t hurt at all and I’m not sure how a remora could cause damage to a scalp as their dorsal fin works by a little sucking motion, (that is, they’re not biting or able to ‘swallow’ with the dorsal fin). Being attacked by a trigger fish protecting its young is far scarier than remoras following you. I really treasured the experience. It’s shame this article is called ‘attacked’ by a remora as it isn’t attacking at all. It’s just curious and/’or trying to attach.
Cute little critter!
They are pesky annoying ugly fishes! But just grab one and attach it to your wetsuit. It will be happy
Yes, I agree, Attacking is not really the right term. Attaching or Bothering is better
They are not blood suckers they ride along and eat the scraps from the animal its riding along with
Haha i had 1 attached to me while diving in Cebu, that was my next few dives after my OWD. It definitely was an experience. I actually got freaked out for awhile until i realize it was like little suction which tickles. It was practically harmless and sometimes i wished it happened again 🙂
I was diving out of Destin FL. I normally wear gloves but had forgoten to wear them that time. I felt something take one of my fingers in its mouth. I looked and it was a remora. I quickly jered my finger out!
IMG_1848.JPGwhen we were scuba diving off the coast of Pensacola over more attached itself to one of our drivers oxygen tank it was kind of cool and funny and cute but not scary I try to attach a picture not sure if it went through
Had a remora attach itself to my IDC marking slates during an IDC. It was hilarious.