Copilots

Oceanic Whitetip sharks rarely travel alone. Almost everywhere they go, they’re followed by pilot fish, small striped fish that stay close to the shark’s body for both protection and opportunity. The relationship is pretty smart, the pilot fish get safety from predators by staying near one of the ocean’s top apex predators, while also feeding on scraps left behind from the shark’s meals and picking parasites from its skin. Honestly, I’ve always looked at it like the pilot fish are using the shark as a bodyguard, almost like walking down the street with your big brother beside you knowing nobody’s going to mess with you. No matter where the shark goes in the open ocean, the pilot fish are usually right there with them. I shot this image in Cat Island, Bahamas, while surrounded by multiple Oceanic Whitetips in the deep blue. What I love most about this angle is how the pilot fish almost look like tiny fighter jets escorting a massive aircraft through open water. Even in one of the most isolated parts of the ocean, nothing truly travels alone.