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The sea lamprey has 7 gill openings and a distinctive disk-shaped mouth. Photo Credit: Lee Emery, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Bugwood.org.

Sea Lamprey

COMMON NAME:

Sea lamprey

SCIENTIFIC NAME:

Petromyzon marinus

ORIGIN:

Atlantic Ocean

DESCRIPTION:

The sea lamprey is an aggressive parasitic fish that resembles an eel. This species has two dorsal fins, no paired fins, seven gill openings, and a very distinctive disk-shaped mouth with sharp, curved teeth and a rasping tongue. Their scaleless body is a mottled gray to black color that fades to a silver-white coloration on the underside. Adult sea lampreys are generally 12-20 inches in length.

ECOLOGY
RESOURCES
DISTRIBUTION

HABITAT:

Juvenile sea lampreys live in streams and rivers, and then move to large freshwater lakes or the ocean. Breeding adults then return to freshwater streams and rivers.

THREAT:

This species will attach to a fish and drain its bodily fluids resulting in a 40-60% mortality rate from blood loss, infections or stress. Sea lampreys feed on salmon, various species of trout, walleye, sturgeon and other fish species that are important to sports fishing industries, cultural practices and the ecosystem.

MANAGEMENT:

The primary method in the control of sea lamprey populations is the use of a lampricide known as TFM in the freshwater tributaries where they spawn. TFM kills the lamprey larvae before they are able to attach to a host fish and has been demonstrated as a successful method of control. Other methods of management include traps, sterilization, and both physical and electric barriers.

SYMPTOMS:

A large, round wound or scar can be found on fish that have had a sea lamprey attached to them.

WNY PRISM PRIORITY:

Tier 3 - Containment

Invasive Species Priorities - Tier Chart

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Great Lakes Fishery Commission

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

NYS Prohibited and Regulated Species - Part 575:

The sea lamprey is a prohibited species in New York State - for more information on Prohibited and Regulated Species, visit http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/99141.html.

PATHWAYS OF INVASION:

Sea lampreys were historically found in Lake Ontario as it is connected to the Atlantic Ocean via the St. Lawrence River. Sea lampreys were found in Lake Erie for the first time in 1921, likely the result of the Welland Canal that created a trade corridor between Lake Ontario and the remaining Great Lakes.

REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION:

Scattered

MAP (via iMapInvasives):

This map shows confirmed observations (green points) submitted to the NYS Invasive Species Database. Absence of data does not necessarily mean absence of the species at that site, but that it has not been reported there. For more information, please visit iMapInvasives.