Focus on Fish Gallery Guide Focus on Fish Final | Page 41

Lamprey
Habitat and Diet:
The lamprey lives in the Atlantic ocean, the Mediterranean
Sea, and the Great Lakes. The live in a larva stage for several
years in freshwater steams, then, once they evolve into adults,
they migrate to open-water seas and lakes.
Lampreys suck...literally! The lamprey uses its suction-cup-like
mouth to attach itself to the skin of a fish and cuts away tissue
with its probing tongue and sharp teeth. Chemicals in the
lamprey's mouth prevent the victim's blood from clotting.
Victims typically die from blood loss or infection. They feed
upon large sport fish like lake trout, whitefish, and salmon.
Relationship to humans:
Sea lampreys are considered a pest in the Great Lakes region,
especially after they severely reduced the game fish population
in the 1930's and 1940's. Much time, effort, and money has been
spent battling these "lake vampires." Advances in science and
technology (like genetics and engineering) are helping to
discover more and better ways to get rid of the lamprey.
Fun/Unusual fact:
Lampreys are considered a delicacy in some parts of Europe,
including South-Western France, but are not eaten in the
United States.