Lamprey
Image: <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Tiithunt" title="User:Tiithunt">Tiit Hunt</a> (CC BY-SA 3.0)
NameLamprey
Scientific NameLampetra fluviatilis
Common NamesEuropean River Lamprey, River Lamprey, Lampern
FamilyPetromyzontidae
OriginEurope, Atlantic Ocean, Baltic Sea, North Sea, Estonia
Temperamentaggressive
Dietcarnivore
Care Levelexpert
Minimum Tank Size (Gallons)500
Max Size (Inches)20
Water TypeFreshwater, Brackish, Saltwater
Temperature Range (°F)40-70
pH Range6.5-8.0
Compatible SpeciesNone
Description
The European River Lamprey is an anadromous, jawless fish known for its eel-like body and parasitic adult stage. It migrates from coastal marine or brackish waters into freshwater rivers to spawn, where its larvae (ammocoetes) live as filter feeders for several years before metamorphosing. Adults attach to other fish with their sucker-like mouth to feed on blood and body fluids, making them unsuitable for typical community aquariums.
