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
ancient_lineage trait badgecoastal trait badgefreshwater trait badgeregenerative trait badge
Lamprey

Category

Fish

Rarity

Common

Danger

3/5 · Moderate

Snaps

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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

Ability

Vacuum Vortex

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

Ability

Blood Sucker's Secret

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

Ability

Rasping Tongue

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

Ability

River Navigator

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
Maximum 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

Also known as

EelLandlocked LampreySea Lamprey

Collections

Safety

Danger

3/5 · Moderate

Avoid touching lampreys in the wild as they have sharp teeth and may bite if threatened.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Lamprey?

15-100 cm

How much does Lamprey weigh?

0.05-2.5 kg

How long does Lamprey live?

3-10 years

What does Lamprey eat?

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

How fast can Lamprey swim?

25 km/h

Where is Lamprey usually found?

Freshwater, Coastal areas

How does Lamprey hunt?

Pursuit

How deep can Lamprey go?

200 m

Snap Map

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