The Virtual Aquarium of Virginia Tech--Lampreys

Ohio Lamprey, Ichthyomyzon bdellium

Physical Description:
ï¿½ Parasitic lamprey
ï¿½ One dorsal fin
ï¿½ Dorsal fin is lowest nearest the head and rises smoothly to the tail; between the two portions, there may be a slight depression in the fin
ï¿½ Teeth are long, curved, and sharp

Similar species:
ï¿½ Mountain brook lamprey (I. greeleyi)

Mean body size:
ï¿½ Adults are 130-250 mm total length

Habitat:
ï¿½ Adults found in warm, large channels
ï¿½ Transformed specimens only found in runs and riffles of clean gravel and rubble
ï¿½ Ammocoetes (larvae) found in slow areas with soft substrate and high amounts of decaying material

Distribution in VA:
ï¿½ Found in the Holston River and Clinch-Powell system

Food Habits:
ï¿½ Larvae are filter feeders - feed on bacteria, protozoans, decayed phytoplankton, and detritus, similar to I. greeleyi
ï¿½ Adults are parasitic and feed on the body fluids and tissues of fish

Reproductive Habits:
ï¿½ Migrate upstream to spawn
ï¿½ Spawning occurs from late April to May in streams
ï¿½ Nests built in sand and gravel bottoms of riffles of moderate sized streams with a moderate gradient
ï¿½ Adults die after spawning
ï¿½ Ammocoetes can live 4 years in sediment before becoming adults

Population Status, Economic, or Ecological Importance:
ï¿½ Ohio lamprey may be decreasing due to habitat degradation
ï¿½ Indicator of good water and substrate quality

References:

Jenkins, R.E and N.M. Burkhead. 1993. Freshwater Fishes of Virginia. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.

Trautman, M.B.1981.The Fishes of Ohio. Ohio State University Press.

If you are seeking more information for the above species click on the VAFWIS logo (The Virginia Fish and Wildlife Information Service):

Mountain Brook Lamprey

Sea Lamprey

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