Description
Collective card for all lampreys (Neunaugen), jawless vertebrates with an eel-like body. In Austria the official lists count two non-parasitic species, Lampetra planeri and Eudontomyzon mariae. They are rare, protected and tied to clean waters.
How to identify it
Eel-like body, without jaws or paired fins, with a round oral disc with horny teeth and seven gill openings on each side. The German name "nine eyes" comes from seven gills, one eye and the nostril. They are told apart from fish by the lack of jaws and paired fins.
Appearance
Jawless eel-like body, with a sucker mouth bearing horny teeth, two eyes and seven gill pores on each side. The larvae (Querder) are blind and worm-like and live buried in sand with only the head sticking out.
Habitat and habits
Cold, oxygenated waters. To spawn, adults ascend the upper reaches of streams and rivers with gravel beds. The larvae live in the sand of quiet areas for years and filter plankton; metamorphosis generally takes 5–7 years.
Where it lives
The order comprises about 47–49 species worldwide. In Austria the resident lampreys Lampetra planeri and Eudontomyzon mariae are mainly known.
Conservation status
In Austria: Lampetra planeri EN, Eudontomyzon mariae VU (Red List 2007). Habitats Directive Annex II for the Austrian species. None invasive.
Can be confused with
Eels and small eel-like fish: lampreys have no jaws or paired fins and have seven gill pores.
Related species and forms
Brook Lamprey
Lampetra planeri
Small non-parasitic lamprey (Bachneunauge) of clear, cool streams, in the trout and grayling zone.
River lamprey
Lampetra fluviatilis
Anadromous lamprey, jawless, with a sucker-like mouth.
Sea lamprey
Petromyzon marinus
Large anadromous lamprey, jawless.
Ukrainian Brook Lamprey
Eudontomyzon mariae
Small-sized, non-parasitic lamprey that lives in streams and small rivers with clean, oxygenated water.
There's more in the app
This species' bite index, recommended baits and methods, and the rules of the day for every water. Offline too.
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