Lampreys are primitive fish comprising the last living relatives of some of the first fish to appear on Earth. Unlike other fish, they lack jaws and instead have sucker-shaped mouths surrounded by rings of teeth. Many lampreys are predatory or parisitic, clinging to the sides of other fish and using their teeth to slice out divots of flesh. the American brook lamprey, however is different. Larvae feed by burrowing into sand and silt and filtering tiny organism, often in slow-water areas of the streams where they live. the adults do not feed at all and only live long enough to spawn before dying.
Identification: A long, eel-like body with two distinct dorsal fins and black stripe at the base of them. the oral disc is narrower than the rest of the head. Teeth are blunt rather than sharp and pointed, as they are in predatory or parasitic species.
Distribution : Atlantic river basins south of St. Lawrence River, Quebec. Also Great Lakes and Mississippi River basin.
Habitat : Gravel or sandy riffles and runs of clear-water streams.
Food : Protozoans, algae and other microorganisms
Size : Up to 35cm
Breeding : Gravelly areas. Female lay eggs in saucer-shaped nest, built by the male using his mouth.
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