Sea Lamprey

Sea lampreys (Petromyzon marinus) are predaceous eel-like fish. Unlike eels, however, they feed on large fish. There are two types of sea lamprey: anadromous and those restricted to fresh water river systems. The anadromous sea lamprey feeds at sea and travels from salt to fresh water. Anadromous sea lampreys gave way to the land locked sea lamprey, the type presently found in the Great Lakes. Presently, sea lamprey are in all the Great Lakes and attach to host species of fish by a sucking (oral) disk (see above photo). Sea lampreys suck the body fluids out of host species by using teeth and a grasping tongue that often leave hosts dying or dead.

• History and First Introduction

• Life Cycle

• Biology of the larvae

• Biology of Adults

• Parasitic Behaviour

• Sea Lamprey Control Measures

• Present and Future Challenges

• Resources