Bigeye Trevally Rubbing Against Grey Reef Shark | Palau

A group of bigeye trevally (Caranx sexfasciatus) swimming around a grey reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrynchos), with one of the fish rubbing its body against the shark's skin. Bigeye trevallies and other species of fish engage in this activity from time to time, perhaps to remove parasites or other irritations from their skin. For the most part, the sharks do not seem to mind, though they sometimes take off at high speed. Note also that one of the bigeye trevallies is dark. The change in coloration is associated with reproduction. Photographed at Blue Corner in Palau.

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Copyright: Copyright Tony Wu. All rights reserved. No duplication in any form without prior written consent.
Image Size: 5208x3472 / 51.8MB; https://www.photoshelter.com/support/license#rm; https://www.tony-wu.com/contact-tony-wu; Bony Fish Animalia Chordata Osteichthyes Actinopterygii Perciformes Carangidae Trevally Caranx sexfasciatus Bigeye Jack Bigeye Trevally Cartilaginous Fish Requiem Shark Chondrichthyes Elasmobranchii Carcharhiniformes Carcharhinidae Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos Blacktail Reef Shark Gray Reef Shark Grey Reef Shark Near Threatened: IUCN Red List Pacific Philippine Sea Caroline Islands Palau Blue Corner Mating Spawning Reproduction Schooling Monochrome
Contained in galleries: Marine Life | Palau, Chondrichthyes, Marine Life Reproduction, Palau, Fish Photos

A group of bigeye trevally (Caranx sexfasciatus) swimming around a grey reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrynchos), with one of the fish rubbing its body against the shark's skin. Bigeye trevallies and other species of fish engage in this activity from time to time, perhaps to remove parasites or other irritations from their skin. For the most part, the sharks do not seem to mind, though they sometimes take off at high speed. Note also that one of the bigeye trevallies is dark. The change in coloration is associated with reproduction. Photographed at Blue Corner in Palau.