American brook lamprey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids American brook lamprey |
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| American brook lamprey late stage transformer (ammocoete metamorphosing into the adult). | |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Lethenteron
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| Species: |
L. appendix
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| Binomial name | |
| Lethenteron appendix (DeKay, 1842)
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The American brook lamprey (Lethenteron appendix) is a special type of fish found in North America. It is a common lamprey that does not feed on other animals. This means it is "non-parasitic."
When they are adults, their mouths are shaped like a disc. However, their teeth are not very strong. They cannot use them to attach to other fish or feed.
Contents
What Does It Look Like?
From Egg to Larva
The eggs of the American brook lamprey are tiny, white, and sticky. They are only about 1 millimeter wide. When the eggs hatch, the baby lampreys are called embryos. They are also very small, less than 5 millimeters long. They look white and wiggly, like worms.
After about a month, these embryos change into a larval form. Larvae of all lampreys are called ammocoetes.
The Ammocoete Stage
When ammocoetes are small, they have a dark stripe along their body. Their head is dark, but the rest of their body is clear. As they grow bigger, their body becomes darker. They can turn a dark brown color.
Ammocoetes can grow up to about 250 millimeters long. The dark stripe on their body gets lighter as they mature. Older ammocoetes also have a dark spot on their tail fin. Their exact colors can be a bit different depending on where they live. For example, in Ohio, older ammocoetes have a dark yellow stripe along their back.
Adult Appearance
When ammocoetes change into adults, their colors change a lot. In the fall and winter, adults are usually silver. By spring, when it's time to breed, they might become more black or brownish.
Adult lampreys have a dark back and a pale belly. Their fins are yellowish, and they have a dark spot at the end of their tail. Their skin feels smooth and leathery, and they do not have scales. Most adults are about 200 millimeters long. American brook lampreys usually live in clear, cold streams and small rivers.
The Life Cycle of the Lamprey
Growing Up as an Ammocoete
American brook lamprey ammocoetes spend a long time growing. They live in the water for 3 to 7 years. During this time, they eat tiny bits of algae and dead plants. This is how they get their energy.
Changing into an Adult
In the late summer and early fall, the ammocoetes go through a big change. This change is called metamorphosis. It means they transform into sexually mature adult lampreys.
By the end of winter, the adults are ready to reproduce. They wait for the spring temperatures to be just right, around 15 degrees Celsius. This temperature is good for their eggs to develop.
Building Nests and Spawning
Male lampreys, sometimes helped by females, build small nests. They pick up pebbles with their mouths. Then they move the pebbles to form the edges of a shallow dip in the streambed. Often, many adult lampreys work together to build these nests. They create them as a group.
During and after the nests are built, the sticky eggs are laid. The eggs stick to the sand and gravel in the nest.
The Short Adult Life
Adult American brook lampreys cannot eat. This is because their intestines do not work anymore. Because they cannot eat, adult lampreys only live for about four to six months. After they lay their eggs and reproduce, they die.
