Echeneid

/ɛkˈiːneɪd/ noun

Definition

A remora fish, a type of marine fish that has a sucker disk on its head and attaches to larger fish or ships.

Etymology

From Greek 'echene' (viper or eel) and 'eidos' (form), so literally 'viper-shaped.' The term was applied to remoras by early zoologists.

Kelly Says

Ancient sailors were terrified of remora fish (echeneid) because they believed these 'sucking fish' could hold back entire ships—modern experiments suggest they theoretically could, but never actually do.

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