Type of association between shark and suckerfish is

The correct option is Commensalism.

To understand why this is the correct answer, let us break down the biological relationship between a shark and a suckerfish (remora) step-by-step:
1. Definition of Commensalism: Commensalism is a type of symbiotic association between two different species where one organism benefits from the association, while the other organism is neither helped nor harmed (remains unaffected).
2. Benefit to the Suckerfish: The suckerfish attaches itself to the underside of the shark's body using its specialized dorsal fin, which acts as a suction cup. Through this attachment, the suckerfish gains several advantages:
- Easy Transportation: It gets a free ride across the ocean, saving metabolic energy.
- Protection: Being close to a large predator like a shark protects the suckerfish from other potential predators.
- Food (Scraps): When the shark feeds, the suckerfish detaches to feed on the leftover scraps of food dropped by the shark.
3. Effect on the Shark: The shark is neither harmed nor benefited by the presence of the suckerfish. The suckerfish does not steal nutrients directly from the shark's body (which would be parasitism), nor does it actively hunt or injure the shark (predation), and it does not provide any significant service to the shark to make it a mutualistic relationship.
Since only the suckerfish benefits and the shark remains unaffected, this relationship is a classic example of commensalism.