Caspian lamprey (Caspiomyzon wagneri) fish species and information / pictures of Caspian lamprey - Caspiomyzon wagneri

Caspian lamprey (Caspiomyzon wagneri) fish species information

Scientific Name
Caspiomyzon wagneri

Common Name
Caspian lamprey

Biology
Non-parasitic lamprey. Adults occur in the sea and spawn in reaches of rivers and streams with strong current. Ammocoetes larvae reach up to 13 mm TL and get up to 3 years old. They live in bottom deposits and feed on diatoms and detritus. In the intestines of adults, only the remains of algae and higher plants are found. However, they may also feed on dead fish and are known to attach themselves to trout, presumably for transport. A 22% reduction in total length occurs from the pre-spawning to the spawning period. Adults die after spawning. The flesh is reported to be poisonous to eat and must be treated before consumption. Until 1868, all catches were dried and used as candles or for production of oil. Only thereafter it was used as food for humans, and is now considered a valuable and delicious fish.

Classification

Classified By
Kessler, 1870
Class
Lampreys (Cephalaspidomorphi)
Order
Lampreys (Petromyzontiformes)
Family
Lampreys (Petromyzontidae)

Distribution

Region
Eurasia
Distribution
Eurasia: endemic to the Caspian Sea drainage. Construction projects along the rivers entering the Caspian Sea have had a very negative impact. Very rare now in the Volga river. Migrates to uppermost tributaries of Volga. Reported to migrate for spawning to the Sura River and its tributaries as far as Penza Ciry in the 1920s.
Range
59°N - 35°N, 42°E - 58°E

Environment

Climate
Temperate
Water Temperature From
Unknown °C
Water Temperature To
23 °C
Depth From - meters
Unknown m
Depth To - meters
Unknown m
Zone
demersal
Environment
Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; anadromous
Trophic Level
2 s.e. 0.00 Based on food items.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
True
Occurs in Brackish water
True
Occurs in Fresh Water
True
Occurs on Reefs
False
Is kept in Aquariums
False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
55.3 cm
Common Length
37 cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 0.6250 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: experimental
Vulnerability
Low to moderate vulnerability (29 of 100)
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tm=tmax=4-6)
Threat To Humans
Poisonous to eat (Ref. 4537)
IUCN Red List Status
Near Threatened (NT)