07.07.2025 – Hitchhiking

The Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) were very friendly towards us today. We had a nice encounter and they enjoyed the bow wave of the Ribeira Brava. On closer inspection, we discovered that one of the dolphins was carrying a blind passerine, a Remora (Remora brachyptera) through the blue.

The Remora is a fascinating marine fish from the Echeneidae family. It lives in tropical and subtropical seas and is particularly notable for its unique way of life. The most striking feature of this fish is the suction cup-like structure on its head. This developed from the dorsal fin and is used to hold on to larger marine animals such as sharks, rays, dolphins or sea turtles. It travels with its host without harming it. In doing so, it benefits from the protection and food scraps that arise when the host is eaten. It also occasionally eats parasites, which can indirectly benefit the host. It is an excellent swimmer, but can attach itself to its host at lightning speed in the event of danger. However, the attachment is not permanent – it regularly breaks away to feed or move on its own.

Besides marine mammal sightings on the Stenella were another high light. A Red-billed tropicbird (Phaethon aethereus) particularly impressed our summer guide Horst, who knows a lot about birds. There is also a great photo. Which is not always easy, because the moment has to be right and you have to react quickly.

By Fatima Kutzschbach

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

09:00 Bottlenose dolphins, Atlantic spotted dolphins

13:00 Bottlenose dolphins, Sperm whale, Remora

Stenella

09:30 Bottlenose dolphins, Atlantic spotted dolphins, Sperm whales

13:30 Bottlenose dolphins, Sperm whales, Red-billed tropicbird

16:30 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Sperm whales, Loggerhead turtle