Lampreys: Cephalaspidomorphi - Physical Characteristics, Lampreys And People, Sea Lamprey (petromyzon Marinus): Species Account - GEOGRAPHIC RANGE, HABITAT, DIET, BEHAVIOR AND REPRODUCTION, CONSERVATION STATUS

SEA LAMPREY (Petromyzon marinus): SPECIES ACCOUNT

GEOGRAPHIC RANGE

Lampreys live in coastal waters on both sides of the North Atlantic Ocean; the western part of the Mediterranean Sea; the western, southern, and eastern coasts of Australia; New Zealand; Tasmania; both coasts of South America; and the Great Lakes of North America.

HABITAT

Lamprey larvae bury themselves in the sand or mud of rivers. In the early phase of their lives, lampreys live in open water in oceans or lakes. They return to freshwater streams to spawn, or produce and release eggs.

DIET

Lamprey larvae feed on plankton, or microscopic plants and animals drifting in bodies of water, and algae (AL-jee), tiny plantlike growths that live in water. Lampreys attach themselves to other fishes and suck out their blood and muscle. Lampreys do not feed during the spawning phase of their lives.

BEHAVIOR AND REPRODUCTION

After three to seven years in a freshwater stream, lamprey larvae metamorphose (meh-tuh-MOR-phoz), becoming freely swimming and leaving the stream for the open water of a sea or lake. For one to two years, lampreys live as parasites (PAIR-uh-sites), which are animals or plants that live on other animals or plants without helping them and often harming them. They then return to freshwater streams to spawn, which they do only once and then die.

CONSERVATION STATUS

Lampreys are not threatened or endangered.