DID
YOU KNOW: The
term guaikano (guaicano) or guaikan is a Taíno word for the remora
fish (scientific name: Echeneidae).
Sometimes called a suckerfish,
the guaikano (remora) is best
known for its distinctive dorsal fin, which takes the form of an oval,
sucker-like organ allowing them to take a firm hold against the skin of larger
marine animals and even boats. Usually found in tropical or temperate waters, guaikano are known to grow between 1-3 ft
long (30–90 cm). Among the Taíno,
the guaikano was once used by fisherman,
specifically, because of its abilities to attach on to larger animals such as
turtles and sharks. A cord or “kabuia (cabuya)”
would be tied to the guaikano’s tail, and once the fish attached, a Taíno
fisherman could simply haul in both the guaikano
and its host. - UCTP Taino News ©
2011
Illustration: Modesto Garcia
