Scientists monitoring nesting olive ridley sea turtles on Playa Pejeperro in Costa Rica documented a rare terrestrial hitchhiker when a marine suckerfish remained attached to a host shell out of the water for 19 minutes. According to a study published in Frontiers in Marine Science, the common remora survived the extended air exposure and remained energetic when researchers finally removed it and returned it to the ocean.

How Remoras Survive Out of Water on Sea Turtles

Remoras typically use a specialized suction disk on top of their heads to attach themselves to larger marine animals, including sharks, rays, whales, and sea turtles, conserving energy by catching a free ride. While these suckerfish frequently cling to turtles in the ocean, researchers observed one staying attached as a female olive ridley came ashore to nest in September 2025.

According to study author Megan Bullock of the University of West Florida and the conservation project Comunidad Protectora de Tortugas de Osa (COPROT), the phenomenon caught the research team off guard. “My coworkers and I were certainly surprised and slightly bewildered that [the remora] was still attached and breathing,” Bullock stated.

Did you know? Remoras have also been documented attaching themselves directly to the scuba tanks of divers exploring underwater reefs.

Behavior and Resiliency During Terrestrial Nesting

During the 19 minutes of observation on the Costa Rican beach, the remora remained relatively still except for periodically flexing its opercula, or gill coverings, according to the findings. Researchers including Bullock, Vicente Peña Eisele of COPROT, and Emily Yeager of the University of Miami collaborated on the study to document the unusual event.

When researchers needed to measure the turtle’s carapace, they detached the fish and placed it back into the surf. “The remora began to writhe and quickly moved away from the researcher once it was returned to the ocean,” the study authors wrote, indicating that the animal remained fully alive despite the lengthy absence from water. “I was even more so surprised that the remora was still so energetic when we removed it from the turtle,” Bullock added. “It thrashed a lot for an animal that hadn’t been in the water for so long.”

Rarity of Host-Carried Land Excursions

Given that hundreds of thousands of sea turtles nest annually, scientists note that accounts of remoras exiting the ocean with their hosts are exceptionally scarce. Bullock reported coming across only a handful of scientific papers describing similar behavior, and none of her colleagues on the turtle nesting project had ever witnessed it.

The exact physiological mechanism allowing the fish to survive above the waves for nearly 20 minutes remains a mystery. “We’re honestly not too sure,” Bullock said. “Like most fish, remoras need flowing water over their gills and will suffocate without it over time.” Researchers are now investigating whether suckerfish possess a heightened tolerance for low-oxygen environments compared to other marine species.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long did the remora survive out of the water?

According to the study in Frontiers in Marine Science, the remora remained attached to the nesting olive ridley sea turtle for 19 minutes before researchers removed it and placed it back in the ocean.

Why do remoras attach to sea turtles?

Remoras use a suction disk on their heads to latch onto larger hosts like sea turtles, sharks, and whales, allowing them to travel efficiently and conserve energy.

Are remoras common on nesting sea turtles on land?

No, scientists consider the behavior extremely rare. Researchers found very few documented accounts of remoras leaving the water with their hosts during nesting season.

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