pilotfish
Shark's small companion
A pilotfish is a small striped fish that swims alongside sharks, rays, and sea turtles, feeding on parasites and scraps.
The name comes from the old belief that these fish guide larger animals to food.
Figuratively, a pilotfish is someone who attaches themselves to a powerful person, benefiting from the association: He was just a pilotfish to the CEO.
Two-way biological benefit
- commensalismNeutral host, benefiting guest
- hostOne receiving guests
- sharkCartilaginous marine predator
- scrapsSmall remaining pieces
protection · interspecies · cooperation · symbiont · cleaning · attachment · whale · manta ray
Leader or instruction book
- companionOne who keeps company
- sidekickSubordinate adventure partner
- assistantOne who aids another
- followerOne who supports another
accomplice · associate · hanger-on · opportunist · dependent · aide · attendant · subordinate
Massive saltwater body
- reefUnderwater rock or coral formation
- saltwaterOcean water, chemically speaking
- currentsDirectional flows of movement
- open waterUnobstructed body navigable freely
tropical seas · coral · underwater · diving · snorkeling · marine life · sea creatures · shipwreck
Fish with adhesive disc
- amberjackLarge predatory game fish
- pompanoCoastal Atlantic food fish
- scadGreat number
- stripedHaving contrasting bands
banded · juvenile · pelagic · tropical · oceanic · Indo-Pacific · Atlantic · Mediterranean
Coming after another
- trailingFollowing behind something
- accompanyingGoing along with another
- schoolingFormal education received
- navigation aidTool for finding way
guiding · leading · scouting · curiosity · fearlessness · persistence · loyalty · shadowing
mutualism
Two-way biological benefit
- commensalismNeutral host, benefiting guest
- hostOne receiving guests
- sharkCartilaginous marine predator
scraps · protection · interspecies · cooperation · symbiont · cleaning · attachment · whale · manta ray · sea turtle
guide
Leader or instruction book
follower · accomplice · associate · hanger-on · opportunist · dependent · aide · attendant · subordinate · lackey
ocean
Massive saltwater body
- reefUnderwater rock or coral formation
- saltwaterOcean water, chemically speaking
- currentsDirectional flows of movement
open water · tropical seas · coral · underwater · diving · snorkeling · marine life · sea creatures · shipwreck · nautical
remora
Fish with adhesive disc
striped · banded · juvenile · pelagic · tropical · oceanic · Indo-Pacific · Atlantic · Mediterranean · aquarium
following
Coming after another
- trailingFollowing behind something
- accompanyingGoing along with another
- schoolingFormal education received
navigation aid · guiding · leading · scouting · curiosity · fearlessness · persistence · loyalty · shadowing
pilotfishgreat white shark
Largest predatory fish
shark · apex predator · whale shark · manta ray · lamprey
pilotfishwhale shark
Biggest fish species
great white shark · manta ray · ocean sunfish · leviathan · giant grouper
fish, fishing, fisherman, fishes, fished, fishermen, fishery, autopilot, co-pilot