Date:
Happy Wednesday everybody! Today's fish of the day is the brook lamprey!
The Lampetra planeri, also known by the names European brook lamprey, and western lamprey, is a strictly freshwater lamprey genetically distinct from North American lamprey species. These animals, found along small and large streams in Northern sections of europe, along with France, Portugal, Northern Italy, and their main home in the Volga river.
These lampreys can reach sizes of 12 to 16 cm, about 4-6 inches. There is little research on these species, and they are relatively hard to find, as most of their life is spent in a larval state. Identification of the brook lamprey is easy, due to the two closely linked dorsal fins.
Their diet consists of detritus, and other organic matter filtered from the water. Although, when they grow to sexual maturity they lose all ability to eat and swim upstream to breed. The lampreys' life span is anywhere between 3 and 5 years, almost all of which they spend blind. During their breeding season, these lampreys develop teeth for the first time, just as they reach the inability to eat. However, they use their newfound teeth for gripping stones and creating nests. Due to their filter feeding system, brook lampreys lack a parasitic phase.
I hope everyone has a good Wednesday!