Some assert that the sucker swims on its back when not adhering to its
host, but my observation denounces that theory. Becalmed among the
islands, where the water is transparently clear, I have seen the sucker
swim cautiously to the boat, apparently reconnoitring. Shy and easily
startled, a wave of the hand over the gunwale is sufficient to scare it
away; but it comes again, keeping pace as the boat drifts, and liking to
remain in its shadow. Then it is easily seen that it swims with the
sucker uppermost.
Occasionally when the blacks harpoon a turtle or a dugong a sucker is
secured. They declare that it stays in one locality until a suitable
host happens along, and then forms a life-long attachment.
If one is seen among the rocks the blacks are at pains to catch it, and
as it is shark-like in its nervousness, the sport demands considerable
skill and patience. "Feed 'em plenty" is the ruling principle.
Delectable morsels of fresh fish are tendered abundantly until the
sucker abandons his usual caution, and then when he is feeding freely a
hook temptingly baited is let down casually among the other dainties,
and if the fish has been liberally and yet not over fed, it will
probably accept the line, and after protesting and holding back to the
best of its ability, find itself flapping in the bark canoe.
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