Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Pilot Fish

High: 52 °F
Low: 44 °F
Conditions: Rain showers throughout the day, could be heavy at times.



Friends,
Many of you have no doubt heard of the pilot fish (Naucrates ductor), a carnivorous fish that feeds on ectoparasites attached to sharks.


The relationship between a shark and pilot fish is a mutualistic one, in the sense that the pilot fish gets a steady meal while the shark gets the equivalent of a living, swimming heartworm tablet each day.


Here at our house, however, we have a very different kind of pilot animal. Meet Mouse (aka, Peskus felinus):





What does a brazen polydactyly cat have to do with a pilot fish, you might ask?

Good question.


Admittedly, there are some profound similarities between the species. Like a pilot fish, Pilot Mouse spends most of her time hovering around her host animal.



And, also like a pilot fish, Pilot Mouse occasionally grooms her host:



Most of the time, though, she prefers just to hang around the host animal, generally making a nuisance of herself and sometimes annoying said host.



Particularly when that host is trying to eat her breakfast:



Is it a mutualistic relationship? Mouse certainly thinks so. As for Ari, she's pretty sure she doesn't need any grooming help--from a cat or anyone else. And she certainly doesn't need any help figuring out where her food is each morning.

Still, even this independent dog can admit that having a pilot cat around can make for a cozy afternoon.

19 comments:

Amber and Nala said...

That is hilarious! :) Don't think Nala would enjoy a pilot mouse either. :)

Unknown said...

Wonderful photos! At times, Madison is MY pilot fish.

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

Oh Ari!

Just when when when are woo going to realize it is a KHAT???

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
PeeEssWoo: Mom has khommenced drooling upon herself: LOBSTER!!!

D.K. Wall said...

Ari, we salute you, but the Sibe side of you is hidden on this one. Rusty is our pilot fish, but no cats.

The Army of Four said...

That is so sweet! I wish I had a cat to hang out with!
Play bows,
Zim

Marigold said...

Around here, Watson has a Pilot Peanut (the goat kind, not the eating kind). However, said Pilot Peanut is usually butting the bejesus out of him. Not too much symbiosis going on there.

Stella said...

Pilot Cat . . .oh, my Mom wishes Ali Z would cozy up to me, but she still makes a run for it every time she can. Maybe thats fun for her, I dunno.

Kisses,
Stella

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

Now there is a creative name for a cat;-) But we understand why you call her Peskus felinus.

Not sure we would like that kind of afternoon cuddling.

Tail wags, the OP Pack

Suzuki said...

BOL Mummy and Daddy tried to bring a cat ito this house once, wen it was just me and my brother Jerry here. Jerry was the most friendly dog you will ever meet, but, when the kitty clawed Daddy and Jerry saw Daddy get hurt he tried to eat the kitty, so Mummy and Daddy took the kitty back and brought home 2 mice instead :)
Big licks to you
Suzuki
xxx

Teddy Westlife said...

Mouse you are doing a WONDERFUL job! Keep up the good work.

Huffle Mawson

Kess And Her Mama said...

Trust you to come up with a comparison between a cat and a pilot fish! Excellent!

YD, sometimes with ♥June and ♥Angel Samantha said...

Awwww....those pictures are so sweet! But Ari, that's a cat!!!


Hugs,
Sam & June

Steve, Kat, & Wilbur said...

Ari, I'm sure glad you enjoy your cat, but I'll tell you what, I would never allow Wilbur to be my pilot fish.

Kat

Lorenza said...

Those two sure get along pretty well!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Sonja said...

Classic! Thanks for this--hilarious and smart all woven into cuteness. ~sonja

umekotyan said...

Good evening Ari
It is a studio of an interesting interview.
The translation of Japanese felt that it wanted the title for a moment.
It is my study shortage.

Is the relation between the remora and the friend the use of each other and or do?
It helps, it is helped, and the idea of symbiosis.
A wonderful weekend with the happiness both done. :D

from loved ume tyan

Dmitri said...

From my view, it has become a clearly symbiotic relationship, even if sometimes appears a little out of balance.

Liffey said...

Nice to meet you Ari. Your life sounds soooooooooo exciting. But I really think that you need a hooman to help you extract that pesky feline! It's much to intimate with you for my liking,
Liffey's Licks to you

JB's Big and Small Worlds said...

Mouse and Ari are so sweet together. I have never heard of a pilot fish, thanks for telling us about it!
--JB