Supplementary material 1 (Video). “Pose” cleaning-request behavior of sailfish and response of marlin suckers.(136.8MB, 00:00:53)Shot Date: 2022/10/13 Shot Location: Fukushima Marine Science Museum | ||
 | species Istiophorus platypterus Key Words | |
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Supplementary material 1 (Video). “Pose” cleaning-request behavior of sailfish and response of marlin suckers.(136.8MB, 00:00:53)Shot Date: 2022/10/13 Shot Location: Fukushima Marine Science Museum | ||
| species Istiophorus platypterus Key Words | |
|
Animalia >Chordata >Actinopterygii >Istiophoriformes >Istiophoridae >Istiophorus >
This video was recorded immediately after a marlin sucker returned to the sailfish's gill cavity following a period spent moving across the sailfish’s body surface. The sailfish opens its gill covers (opercula) without increasing its swimming speed, appearing to wait for the marlin sucker to reenter the gill cavity (until 10 seconds later). It then closes its gill covers and begins swimming with wide tail movements (10–21 seconds). Subsequently, the sailfish stops moving its tail fin and coasts forward (21–27 seconds). When it reopens its gill covers, the fin of a marlin sucker can be seen emerging from the gill cavity (at 27 seconds).
Although not shown in the video, it is possible that one marlin sucker exited the gill cavity and began swimming along the left side of the sailfish’s body. The sailfish stops moving its fins, spreads its gill covers, and arches its body dorsally while remaining stationary (27–31 seconds). A marlin sucker (likely a second individual) then emerges from the gill cavity and moves onto the sailfish’s body surface (at 32 seconds).
The two marlin suckers swim along the sailfish’s body surface toward the anal fin, while the sailfish closes its gill covers (32–39 seconds). When they return to the base of the sailfish’s pectoral fins, the sailfish again opens its gill covers widely (at 39 seconds). The two marlin suckers then reenter the gill cavity (39–45 seconds).
The sailfish begins to swim slowly, keeping its gill covers open until the marlin suckers are fully settled inside (45–50 seconds). It then increases its swimming speed and closes its gill covers (50–53 seconds).
Below is the abstract from the article containing this video:
The symbiotic relationship between remoras and their hosts is difficult to comprehensively evaluate, as hosts may experience both benefits and disadvantages from their interaction with remoras. This study observed behaviors of sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus) and marlin suckers (Remora osteochir) in an aquarium by filming them. The marlin suckers displayed cleaning behavior, inserting their heads into small depressions along the base of the sailfish's fins and pecking at the host's injured snout. In response, the sailfish reduced its swimming speed and opened its operculum, allowing the marlin sucker to exit the gill cavity. These behaviors were consistent with the typical "cleaning–request" behavior observed in host species interacting with cleaner fish. Our observations strongly suggest a symbiotic relationship between the two species. Digital video images related to the article are available at http://www.momo-p.com/showdetail-e.php?movieid=momo250502ip07a, http://www. momo-p.com/showdetail-e.php?movieid=momo250502ip09a, and http://www.momo-p.com/showdetail-e.php?movieid= momo250502ip05a.
Toshiaki Mori, Kenichi Fujii, Kaori Fujii, Akira Komoda, and Takuzo Abe (2025) Symbiotic cleaning relationship between a sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus) and remoras (Remora osteochir). J. Ethol. 10.1007/s10164-025-00852-w
(Data No.momo250502ip07a)
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