Remora hitches 19-minute ride as sea turtle lays eggs in Costa Rica
Researchers in Costa Rica observed a rare event where a remora fish remained attached to a sea turtle for 19 minutes while the turtle was on land laying eggs. The fish survived the exposure to air and remained energetic upon being returned to the ocean.
Why it matters
This observation provides unique biological data on the endurance and symbiotic behavior of marine species in non-aquatic environments.
A mother sea turtle crawled onto a Costa Rican beach to lay her eggs, carrying an unexpected passenger that refused to let go even after leaving the ocean.Gripping tightly to the turtle’s shell with a suction disc on its head, a live suckerfish stayed attached and survived in the open air for 19 minutes.The rare encounter took place on Pejeperro beach in September 2025.Field workers monitoring nesting turtles on the beach spotted the olive ridley turtle emerging from the waves with the fish stuck to her back.
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