River Lamprey

Lampetra fluviatilis

Summary 4

River Lampreys are one of the most ancient species of fish found in Scotland. They live in salt water and come into rivers in the spring and autumn to spawn. While in coastal waters they feed by attaching themselves to larger fish with their sucker-like jaws and feeding on the blood of their host. The River Lamprey is threatened as the water quality of its spawning grounds is deteriorating. It is afforded some protection under EU law, and one of its sub-species, the purely fresh water Dwarf River Lamprey is protected in a site of special scientific interest in Scotland.

Sources and Credits

  1. (c) bathyporeia, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://www.flickr.com/photos/81858878@N00/11754056946/
  2. (c) Biopix, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://www.biopix.com/PhotosMedium/Lampetra%20fluviatilis%2000001.JPG
  3. (c) M.Buschmann, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3f/Lampetra_fluviatilis.jpg/460px-Lampetra_fluviatilis.jpg
  4. (c) jrpscott, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

More Info

iNaturalistUK Map

Feeding behaviour parasite
Size small