Pacific Lamprey (Lampetra tridentata)
Identification: Elongate and almost cylindrical body, round in cross section from head to dorsal fins. Tooth bar immediately above mouth has three teeth. Adults blue-back to dark brown, teeth usually yellow to orange. From top view, the diameter of the mouth is not wider than the head or body. Adult length to 680 mm.
Life History: Anadromous. Immature individuals migrate from the sea between July and September and overwinter under rocks in freshwater until MR.h at which point they emerge. Nest building and spawning occurs from April to July. Spawning beds are usually sandy gravel at the upstream edge of riffles. Fecundity can be as high as 106,000 eggs per female, with the mean at 34,000 eggs per female. The adults usually die after spawning. The eggs hatch within 2-3 weeks, and the young burrow into the mud for a maximum of 5 to 6 years. Migration of young adults out to sea occurs in the spring and early summer.
Feeding: An external parasite, L. tridentata feeds on the blood and fluids of fish and other marine vertebrates. Individuals attach to their prey using the suckered oral disc and disc teeth.
References:
Scott, W and Crossman, E. 1973. Freshwater Fishes of Canada. Fisheries Research Board of Canada. Bulletin 184. Ottawa, Ontario.
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