Mountain Brook Lamprey,  Ichthyomyzon greeleyi

 
Physical Description: 
�	One dorsal fin 
�	Dorsal fin height increases toward the tail

Similar species: 
�	Ohio lamprey (I. bdellium)

Mean body size:
�	Adults are 120-160 mm total length.

Habitat:
�	Adults are found in fast riffles
�	Ammocoetes (larvae) live in pool bottoms and muddy banks

Distribution in VA:
�	Middle and North Forks of the Holston River, tributaries of the Clinch and Powell rivers 

Food Habits:  
�	Nonparasitic lamprey 
�	Larvae are filter feeders 
�	Adults have reduced teeth and gut and probably do not feed 

Reproductive Habits: 
�	Spawning occurs from April to May
�	Spawn in groups that are equally male and female, over nests 
�	Nests are shallow depressions in runs of small gravel  
�	Breeding males heavily mottled on back and sides 
�	Females mottled mostly on tail and belly 
�	May turn blue-black during spawning  
�	Adults die after spawning  
�	Ammocoetes can live 5 or 6 years in the sediment 

Population Status,  Economic, or Ecological Importance: 
�	Depleted and extirpated from some areas due to excessive siltation

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

Ohio Lamprey Sea Lamprey Continue Browsing Families..... Petromyzontidae, Lampreys Polyodontidae, Paddlefish Acipenseridae, Sturgeons Lepisosteidae, Gars Amiidae, Bowfins Anguillidae, Freshwater Eels Amblyopsidae, Cavefishes Ictaluridae, Catfish Percopsidae, Trout-Perches Salmonidae, Trouts Clupeidae, Herrings Esocidae, Pikes Aphredoderidae, Pirate Perches Umbridae, Mudminnows Fundulidae, Killifishes Poeciliidae, Livebearers Cyprinidae, Minnows Catostomidae, Suckers Gasterosteidae, Sticklebacks Atherinidae, Silversides Cottidae, Sculpins Sciaenidae, Drums Percidae, Perches Moronidae, Striped Basses Centrarchidae, Sunfishes