Silver lamprey (Ichthyomyzon unicuspis) fish species and information / pictures of Silver lamprey - Ichthyomyzon unicuspis

Silver lamprey (Ichthyomyzon unicuspis) fish species information

Scientific Name
Ichthyomyzon unicuspis

Common Name
Silver lamprey

Biology
Feeding adults are usually found attached to other fishes in large rivers, lakes, and impoundments. They migrate upriver to spawn in gravel riffles and runs. Ammocoetes occur in sandy or muddy pools and backwaters where they stay as larvae for about 4 to 7 years. Adults are parasitic for 1 to 2 years. Semelparous. Listed as anadromous species in Ref. 51243.

Classification

Classified By

Hubbs & Trautman, 1937

Class

Lampreys (Cephalaspidomorphi)

Order

Lampreys (Petromyzontiformes)

Family

Lampreys (Petromyzontidae)

Distribution

Region

North America

Distribution

North America: Mississippi drainage and the Great Lakes to Hudson Bay and the St. Lawrence River. Readily distinguishable from the sea lamprey by its single dorsal fin.

Range

59°N - 30°N

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Freshwater; demersal; potamodromous

Trophic Level

4.5 s.e. 0.80 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

39.0 cm

Common Length

20.1 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5156 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Bait: occasionally

Vulnerability

High vulnerability (60 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (tmax=8; tm=6; Fec=10,800)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated