Genus Echeneis is commonly known as the "remora fish" or "suckerfish". This fish has a unique characteristic of having a flattened head and a specialized dorsal fin that can attach to other marine animals. It is a member of the family Echeneidae, which consists of eight other species of remora fish. The genus Echeneis has also been referred to as "hitchhikers" or "parasites" because of their habit of attaching to sharks, turtles, and other sea creatures in order to catch a ride or hitchhike. Other synonyms for the term Genus Echeneis include the suckerfish genus, sticklebacks, and leech fish genus.