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Dieren en planten

Fish   Lamprey   Sea lamprey   European river lamprey   Fish biology   Reproduction of fish   Nurseries   

European river lamprey

size:

up to 50 centimeter

weight:

up to 150 grams

color:

blue-grey with light sides and a silver-white belly

age:

larva: several years
adults: unknown
total: maximum 10 years

food:

larva: small particles in the water
adults: blood, skin and meat from dead and living marine animals (particularly herring, sprat, coal fish and flounder)

enemies:

larva: various fish
adults: birds (mergansers and gulls)

reproduction:

The female lays a total of several hundred egss by various males. After spawning, both males and females die.

  • Dut: Rivierprik
  • Lat: Lampetra fluviatilis
  • Eng: European river lamprey
  • Ger: Flussneunaugen
  • Fre: Lamproie de rivière
  • Dan: Flodlampret
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European river lamprey, Jeroen van der Laan

European river lamprey

Just like their cousin the sea lamprey, European river lampreys live off of the blood of other fish. Even their breeding and migration habits are similar: lay eggs upriver, larva migrate to salt water when reaching adulthood. However, river lamprey are much smaller, have a different color and will also bite off large pieces of meat from living and dead marine animals.

  • Distribution and habitat

    River lampreys are found along all coasts in the northern hemisphere, including the North and Baltic Seas. Migration between fresh and salt water is essential for these fish.
    In the Netherlands, river lampreys are found in rivers and streams. The photo shows a river lamprey caught in the Ems harbour. Because they are rare, they are on the Red List for threatened animal species.