ExploreFish

Lamprey

Petromyzon marinus

Lampreys are unique fish with long, slimy bodies and round mouths filled with sharp teeth. They don't have jaws like most fish and are excellent swimmers in rivers and oceans.

Habitat: Freshwater, Coastal areas

Appearance

The Lamprey is an eel-shaped, jawless fish, typically grey, brown, or olive, with a distinctive round, tooth-lined suction mouth. It has a single nostril on top of its head and lacks paired fins, distinguishing it from most true fish.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassHyperoartiaOrderPetromyzontiformesFamilyPetromyzontidaeGenusPetromyzon

Lamprey

Interesting facts

Baby lampreys hide in riverbeds for years, filtering tiny food instead of hunting!

Lampreys don't have bones! Their skeletons are made of cartilage, just like sharks.

Lampreys have seven small gill openings on each side, looking like tiny holes!

Some adult lampreys don't eat! They use stored energy to migrate and lay eggs.

Special abilities

Lamprey can attach firmly to surfaces and other fish using its powerful suction disc mouth, helping them feed or hold against currents.

Lamprey injects an anticoagulant into its prey, allowing continuous feeding because it prevents blood from clotting.

Lamprey has a specialized rasping tongue covered in horny teeth that helps them scrape flesh and consume blood from their hosts.

Lamprey can navigate vast distances between saltwater and freshwater using its strong sense of smell to find ancestral spawning grounds.

Measurements & details

Length: 15-100 cm
Weight: 0.05-2.5 kg
Lifespan: 3-10 years
Swim Speed: 25 km/h
Max Depth: 200 m
Water Type: Brackish

Diet & Feeding

Adult parasitic lampreys drink blood from fish, while young ones filter tiny bits from water.

Age differences: Larval lampreys (ammocoetes) are filter-feeders, consuming detritus and microorganisms. Parasitic adults feed on fish, while non-parasitic adults do not eat.

Primary Foods

Fish blood
Fish bodily fluids
Fish flesh

Foraging Method

Pursuit

Ecological connections

parasitizes

Atlantic Salmon

Salmo salar

Attaches to feed on blood and fluids.

parasitizes

Rainbow Trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Feeds on fluids, can injure or weaken trout.

eaten by

European Otter

Lutra lutra

Otters prey on lampreys during migration.

eaten by

Grey Heron

Ardea cinerea

Herons catch migrating lampreys in shallow waters.

Traits

Ancient Lineage

These fascinating organisms carry echoes of the deep past, with ancestors that have roamed the Earth for an incredible span of time. They are living links to ancient worlds!

Coastal

Discover life found along the edges where land meets the sea! These habitats are always changing with the tides and waves, offering unique environments.

Freshwater

Discover animals and plants that live in non-salty water, like rivers, lakes, and ponds! These watery homes are vibrant with life.

Regenerative

Imagine if you could grow back a lost arm or tail! Some incredible creatures have the power to regrow body parts, making them truly amazing survivors in nature.

Aquatic

Discover amazing creatures that call water their home, whether it's oceans, rivers, or lakes! These habitats are full of incredible life.

Migratory

Follow incredible journeys across the world! These animals travel far and wide at different times of the year, often to find better food or warmer places.

Parasitic

Discover unique organisms that live on or inside another creature, getting their food and shelter from their host. It's a fascinating and complex relationship in nature!

Vampiric

Discover fascinating creatures that feed on the blood or fluids of other living things! They're not scary, but they have a unique way of getting their meals.

Nocturnal

Explore the secret world of animals that come alive at night! They are wide awake when it's dark, using their amazing senses to find food and play.

Venomous

Be amazed by animals that can inject special substances to defend themselves or catch their food! They deliver their potent dose through a bite or a sting.