The Galapagos Islands are unique and fascinating for many reasons. Situated on the equator, west of Ecuador, they are home to some unbelievable animals. Four strong ocean currents converge here, creating an upwelling of cold water and nutrients that bring fish and other animals to the area. These smaller creatures attract larger predators. Hammerhead sharks, silky sharks, and Galapagos sharks congregate here in great numbers. Trevallies, large fish that prey on smaller fish are also common here. One of the most magnificent creatures in the ocean also come to these waters. Whale sharks are the biggest fish that live. Only a few species of whale are larger. The whale sharks are plagued by remoras, fish that cling to them with suction cups on their heads, creating extra drag that is problematic for whale sharks that swim great distances. The remoras also swim inside the gill slits and affect the whale sharks' ability to effectively filter plankton and krill. The whale sharks come to the Galapagos Islands for the cleaning stations that provide relief from these nuisance animals. The silky sharks are able to pick of the remoras as the whale sharks swim around the islands. Trevallies are large enough to do the same, but also small enough to go inside the gill slits and the mouth of the whale sharks to eat the remoras. This service provides food for the other predators and an invaluable benefit to the whale sharks. Occasionally, remoras on a single whale shark can number in the dozens. They hitch rides on the shark to avoid the effort of swimming and they break free to swim out and eat the feces from the whale sharks and any fish scraps in the water as the other fish feed nearby. Although a few remoras can benefit the whale sharks because they eat some parasites, a large number of them is detrimental to the whale sharks. These scuba divers have had the incredible good fortune to see a whale shark swimming through their group. For a minute or more, they swam with this great, gentle beast, enjoying the emotions that come with being in the presence of one of the world's biggest animals. This gentle beast has been seen circling Darwin Island several times since 2018.
