Would fish nibbling dirt and such off of a hippo be a mutualistic relationship or a commensalistic relationship. I can’t tell what exactly the fish are eating off of the hippo. Thanks!
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Fish is probably eating the parasites (e.g. ticks) off the hippo’s skin. If that is the case it is mutualism because both species benefit from the relationship. Commensalism happens when one species benefits but the other species is not harmed and also receives no benefit. Commensalism is probably more common than is acknowledged in the scientific literature, because many scientists influenced by sociobiology tend to dichotomize behavior as either altruistic or selfish. Commensalism and mutualism are often not found in their vocabulary.