Lamprey ID
Chestnut Lamprey
Ichthyomyzon castaneus
Also known as: lamprey
Description: Parasitic fish with eel-like body and a sucking-disc mouth that enables it to cling onto host fish. The teeth on the tongue-like structure are then used to rasp into the flesh which enables the lamprey to feed on body fluids that flow from the wound. Many fish survive the attack – as evidenced by a scar. Lampreys migrate upstream to find favorable spawning sites.
Family: Lamprey
Type: Non-Game Fish
Range: Scarce, some have been found in the Missouri River.
![Illustration of a chestnut lamprey.](https://outdoornebraska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Tomelleri_Chestnut_lamprey_1440x643-1024x457.jpg)
References
The Fishes of Nebraska by Hrabik, et. al (2015)
The Fish Book from NEBRASKAland Magazine (1987)Related Content
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