Arctic lamprey (Lethenteron camtschaticum)

Scientific name: Lethenteron camtschaticum Tilesius, 1811

Arctic lamprey (Lethenteron camtschaticum)

The Arctic lamprey (Lethenteron camtschaticum) is a freshwater fish of the family Petromyzontidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 5–18°C (41–64°F).

Arctic lamprey care at a glance

Temperature
5–18°C (41–64°F)

Biology

Adults inhabits coastal and estuarine waters. Prefer sites with stony or sandy bottom, shaded by riparian vegetation. Spawning adults found in gravel riffles and runs of clear streams; feeding adults usually in oceans or lakes; ammocoetes in muddy margins and backwaters of river and lakes. Anadromous. There are non-migratory freshwater populations. Probably parasitizes any species of fish of suitable size, including commercial species. Subadults are non-parasitic. Feed on small aquatic invertebrates, algae and organic matter contained in detritus. Arctic lamprey has high quality flesh rich in fat.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Lethenteron camtschaticum
Family
Petromyzontidae (Lampreys)
Order
Petromyzontiformes (Lampreys)
Class
Cephalaspidomorphi (Lampreys)
Maximum length
63.0
Common length
16.1
Depth range
0–50 m (0–164 ft)
Environment
Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; anadromous; depth range 0 - 50 m
Climate
Polar
Distribution
Arctic: Siberian coast to Anderson River in Canada. Northwest Pacific: Bering Sea south to Japan and Korea. Freshwater resident populations in Slave, Hay and Mackenzie rivers, Northern Territories, Canada. Freshwater non-migratory stocks in river systems in Mongolia. Europe: Arctic, White and Barents Sea basins of Russia and Norway, from Pechora drainage in Russia to Pasvik drainage in Norwegian-Russian border. In danger of local extinctions due to pollution and use as bait.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial; bait: usually
Resilience
Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (tm 4-5)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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