ATTN: POLYPTERUS

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C

cichlidfinder

Gambusia
MFK Member
Dec 24, 2005
212
4
18
58
N W INDIANA
I have a few Lamprey questions for you if I may.

Let me start by saying I did not collect this fish ! It was caught by a third party angler attached to a walleye. A friend brought it home in a bait bucket for a photo op thinking this to be a sea lamprey.

My friend knowing my fishkeeping and photo skills asked if I wanted it and of course I said yes. So last night he came to my fishroom.

While observeing this fish I believe it to be a chestnut lamprey. A native to lake michigan. P.s. the fish was caught in a direct tributary of the lake.

the following a two quick pics. I know the glass isn't clean I did this in a hurry.

The dorsal segments are fused making a single structure.

What can you tell me about this quy.

Thanks in advance

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approx 9 inches head to tail.

I noticed what appears to be a single nostral on top of his head ? Is this a functioning nose so it doesn't suffocate while attached ?

I'm going to clean the old tanks glass and give him some substrate to help with the cameras auto focus.
 
Lizardking;1484847; said:
That was an UGLY fish! Is it a coldwater fish or can you house it in a tempered tank? Meateater?
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Coldwater (70F and below). Captive specimens can be fed live, freshly killed, or frozen fish with occassional chunks of beef heart. Parasitic by nature...placing large expendable fish (carp, buffalo, amur, etc.) in the tank will give the lampreys attachment and feeding opportunities.
 
Well, im pretty new to this hobby and totally into SA/CA cichlid and catfishes, but theres so many crazy oddball fishes outthere that I discover everyday on this site. Gotta catch em all (you know) :drool: But unfortunally my mrs wants food on the table not 20 tanks in the livingroom :irked:
 
cichlidfinder;1484733; said:
approx 9 inches head to tail.

I noticed what appears to be a single nostral on top of his head ? Is this a functioning nose so it doesn't suffocate while attached ?

I'm going to clean the old tanks glass and give him some substrate to help with the cameras auto focus.
Click to expand...

Nostril is just used well as a nostril..Lamprey have a keen sense of smell, Especially the males. Keen enough to find a female in a stream miles away by pheromones alone. They are in general sight feeders though and have well developed eyes.

When feeding the fish Intakes and expels water through the gill spiracles.

As Phil stated these as well as the Ohio lamprey are a bit more opportunistic in feeding. I actually prefer to not refer to them as "parasitic". Some feed Items I have found to work very well for these fish are White suckers and Creek chubs (Tilapia to an extent). In addition they will scavenge but the big problem with feeding them Frozen or freshly dead fish is it pollutes the tank quickly and does not allow them the time they need to fully satiate before you have to remove the food. Lamprey are really sensitive to water quality so care needs to be taken to ensure very high standards.
 
Polypterus;1486455; said:
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...I would say that is one very beautiful fish :)
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that mouth is creepy though!:eek:

any cases of them latching on to swimmers?
 
It is certainly a very interesting one. Thanks for sharing the pics. How large are they known to get?
 
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