River Lamprey (Lampetra ayresi)
Identification: Body is elongate and cylindrical to the dorsal fins. Body is dark brown to lead-grey on the upper sides and dorsal surface, silvery around the head, gill openings and lower sides, and white on the ventral surface. Tooth bar immediately above mouth has two teeth. Center pair of lateral teeth have three points, sharp tooth on center of tongue. Adults usually 311 mm.
Life History: Anadromous. Adults probably spawn in gravel between April and May. After hatching, juveniles burrow into the mud for some unknown period of time. Young adults migrate downward to sea in the spring.
Feeding:External parasites, probably on a wide variety of fishes.
References:
Scott, W and Crossman, E. 1973. Freshwater Fishes of Canada. Fisheries Research Board of Canada. Bulletin 184. Ottawa, Ontario.
© 2009 Veins of Life Watershed Society / All Rights Reserved / if you wish to use any info for commercial or non commercial usage you must obtain permissions from The Veins of Life Watershed Society