Remora Fish Caught Hitching Thrilling Lifts on Humpback Whales

On 2025-11-06T06:26:35+00:00, researchers released rare footage showcasing remora fish hitching rides on humpback whales off the coast of south-east Queensland. The footage, captured by marine scientist Dr. Olaf Meynecke from Griffith University, reveals the remora's remarkable ability to sense changes in the whale's speed and water depth, allowing them to maintain a tight grip during the whale's breaching.

Remora are long, slender fish that use a suction disc instead of a dorsal fin to attach to larger marine animals like sharks, turtles, and whales. This unique adaptation provides them several advantages, as they can essentially "cheat the system" by gaining free transportation and meals. Whale scientist Dr. Vanessa Pirotta notes that whales act as the "ultimate free Uber around the sea," not just for remora but also for barnacles.

According to experts, the remora likely provide some benefits to the whales in return, such as eating parasites and cleaning the whale's skin. The footage confirms that whales constantly shed dead skin, which the remora can feed on. Researchers say whales are essentially "vehicles transporting an abundance of marine life throughout their journey," an aspect often overlooked.