Depth
Naucrates · Bony Fish

Pilotfish

Naucrates ductor

0-300m
Depth Range
70cm
Max Size
Mediterranean
Distribution
0-300m
Depth Range
70cm
Max Size
Pelagic
Habitat
Omnivore
Diet
Commensal
Social
LC
IUCN Status
Moderate
Sighting Likelihood
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Actinopterygii
Genus Naucrates
Species ductor

Bony Fish

Identification & Biology

  • IdentificationElongated, streamlined body with 5 to 7 distinctive dark vertical bands on a blue-grey to blue body. Short, rounded head. Deeply forked tail. The bands become more prominent with age.
  • SizeUp to 70 cm total length, commonly 20 to 40 cm.
  • Social HabitAlmost always found accompanying larger marine animals, particularly sharks, rays, turtles, and even boats. Small groups of pilotfish swim in formation around their host.
  • HabitatOpen ocean, pelagic. Follows large pelagic animals throughout their range.
  • DepthSurface to 300 m, usually near the surface following hosts.
  • Feeds OnScraps from the host's meals, external parasites, and small free-swimming fish and crustaceans.
  • DistributionWorldwide in tropical and warm temperate seas, including the Mediterranean Sea.
  • DescriptionFamous for its association with sharks and other large marine animals, the pilotfish gets its name from the ancient belief that it guides sharks to food. In reality, pilotfish benefit from scraps and the protection afforded by their host's presence. Divers sometimes spot pilotfish accompanying turtles or large rays at Mediterranean dive sites.

Range

Habitat & Distribution

An oceanic pelagic species found from the surface to about 300 metres, almost always in association with larger marine animals or floating objects. In the Mediterranean, pilotfish are most often spotted accompanying Ocean Sunfish, turtles or large sharks.

Where Malta divers have spotted this species

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Sightings are logged by divers using our What Did You See? dive-log tool. View the full live sightings map.

Detail

Preferred Environment

Prefers warm, clear oceanic waters where large pelagic species travel. Also associates with floating debris, boats and buoys, especially as juveniles sheltering under jellyfish.

Encounter Tips

Best approached slowly and calmly. Avoid casting shadows directly over the animal. Neutral buoyancy and patience increase encounter success significantly.

Pilotfish species card

Biology

Behaviour & Diet

Feeding Strategy

Feeds on scraps from its host's meals, ectoparasites it picks from larger animals, small fish, crustaceans and invertebrates. The relationship with large hosts provides both food access and protection.

Commensal Feeder

Reproduction

Spawns in open tropical and subtropical waters during summer. Juveniles are pelagic and often shelter beneath the bells of jellyfish before associating with larger fish or objects.

Oceanic Spawner

Behaviour & Defence

Gains protection by swimming in close formation with sharks and other large predators, which deters would-be attackers. The banded pattern may also break up its outline in open water.

Predator Association

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Where to Encounter in Malta

Dive sites where Naucrates ductor may be encountered will be added as sighting data is collected.

IUCN Red List Least Concern

Conservation Status

This species is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Mediterranean populations face ongoing pressure from fishing activity, habitat degradation, and climate-driven changes.

Source: IUCN Red List
diveshack Mediterranean Marine Life guide