Researchers using suction-cup cameras on humpback whales off Australia filmed remoras clinging to whales until moments before a breach, then reattaching within seconds. The remoras feed on dead skin and sea lice, sometimes in groups of 15–20 and occasionally up to 50 on a single whale, and have been observed mating on their hosts. It remains uncertain whether remoras stay with one whale for entire migrations or switch hosts en route, and the fact that larvae are born in the East Australian Current suggests their life cycle may be linked to whale routes.
Piggybacking on Giants: How Remoras Hitch Rides on Humpback Whales
Researchers using suction-cup cameras on humpback whales off Australia filmed remoras clinging to whales until moments before a breach, then reattaching within seconds. The remoras feed on dead skin and sea lice, sometimes in groups of 15–20 and occasionally up to 50 on a single whale, and have been observed mating on their hosts. It remains uncertain whether remoras stay with one whale for entire migrations or switch hosts en route, and the fact that larvae are born in the East Australian Current suggests their life cycle may be linked to whale routes.
12:29 AM, 11/17/2025Science
Piggybacking on Whales: Remoras' Remarkable Ride
Marine researchers who attached suction-cup cameras to humpback whales off Australia’s east coast to study behavior and migration unexpectedly captured rare, close-up footage of remoras riding on those whales. The clips reveal the little fish clinging to their hosts until just moments before a whale breaches, then releasing and reattaching with astonishing speed and precision as the animal splashes back into the sea.
"Whenever the whale was breaching and doing, in particular, fast movements… the sucker fish were responding very quickly. They knew exactly when to let go of the body of the whale before it breached the surface of the water and then returned to the same spot only seconds later." — Olaf Meynecke, Whales and Climate Research Program, Griffith University
These small hitchhikers appear harmless to their massive hosts. The videos highlight a largely mutualistic relationship: remoras graze on dead skin and feed on sea lice from the whale, while gaining an efficient ride and a steady food supply. Observers even filmed remoras mating and reproducing on the whale’s body, making the whale an effective mobile habitat.
Researchers noted a correlation between skin shedding and remora abundance: whales that seemed to be shedding more skin commonly carried 15–20 remoras, and in some exceptional cases researchers counted as many as 50 attached to a single animal.
Remoras are not exclusive to humpbacks. They also attach to sharks, manta rays, turtles, dolphins—and occasionally even to scuba divers. While the relationship often appears beneficial to both parties, whales sometimes show signs of irritation. "We have observed whales eyeing them, undertaking multiple breaches, then checking again," Meynecke said.
Many questions remain. It is unclear whether individual remoras remain with the same whale for an entire migration between Australia and Antarctica or whether they switch hosts along the way. Researchers also report that remora larvae are born in the East Australian Current and must find a host soon after developing, which suggests the fish’s life cycle may be tied to whale migration routes.
Why this matters
Beyond the novelty of the footage, these observations offer insight into animal behavior, symbiotic relationships, and migration ecology. The precision with which remoras time detachment and reattachment also raises interesting questions about sensory cues and biomechanics that could inform future research.