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scientific endorsement
ALEXANDRE MEINESZ

Pilot fish

In Dive.Explo360: Mediterranean · Northeast Atlantic · Atlantic Ocean · Red Sea · Indian Ocean · Pacific Ocean · Caribbean Sea

Seeing a Pilot fish following a shark or circling a buoy is always memorable. Its contrasting black bands and curious behaviour make it easy to identify. Opportunistic, the Pilot fish exploits resources offered by offshore life.

Habitat de Pilot fish Habitat
Open water
Profondeur de Pilot fish Depth
0-300 m
Groupe biologique de Pilot fish Group
Pelagic fish
Rôle écologique de Pilot fish Role
Predator

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

This fish is easily recognised by its silvery body crossed by dark vertical bands. Its outline is slender and adapted to open-water swimming. It often accompanies large marine animals such as sharks, but unlike the remora, it does not attach to them and swims freely beside them.

WHERE DOES IT LIVE?

It mainly lives in the open sea, but may also be seen near the coast. It is frequently found near floating objects, buoys or the marine animals it accompanies.

WHAT DOES IT EAT?

It feeds on small fish, crustaceans and planktonic organisms. It also consumes food remains left by the large animals it follows.

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Same ecological role and depth

Predatory species

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