American brook lamprey

phylum	Chordata	The American brook lamprey, Lethenteron appendix, is a common non-parasitic, lamprey in North America. It is found in clear, cold brooks, and small steams. Larvae, called ammocoetes, feed on algae and detritus for 3 to 7 years until mature. In adults their disc-like mouths contain poorly developed teeth, useless for attaching to a host. Length is about 200 mm (7.9 in), but is variable. The silver color becomes more black or brownish by spring when breeding begins. Since the intestine in adults is nonfunctional, they cannot eat and live for only 4 to 6 months, and die after spawning. For more information visit the Wikipedia entry. Get back to Lamprey
class	Cephalaspidomorphi
order	Petromyzontiformes
family	Petromyzontidae
genus	Lethenteron
species	L. appendix

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  Fauna Figures Fishes American Brook Lamprey