Drag experienced by remoras compares favorably with that of a non-lifting streamlined body with a fineness ratio optimized for attachment to a larger body.

Preferential attachment sites on hosts are likely more suited to the nature of suction-based attachment than hydrodynamic considerations.

Hosts are not usually capable of generating swimming speeds fast enough to dislodge remoras.

Larger remoras are less likely to be detached from a host than smaller ones moving at the same speed, suggesting that remoras mature into their hitchhiking role.