silver lamprey

Ichthyomyzon unicuspis

Most parasitic attacks begin after nightfall

Silver
Temperate
Upper river
Northern Hemisphere
Regional distribution
Freshwater fish
North America
Anguilliform
Medium
Temperate fish

The silver lamprey (Ichthyomyzon unicuspis) is a lamprey commonly found in the Northern and Central United States, as well as a large part of southern Canada. Its genus name means "sucking fish" in Greek and the species name means "one-pointed" in Latin. The silver lamprey is a member of the class Agnatha, sometimes referred to as cyclostomes (round-mouths).

Class: Lampreys
Order: Lampreys
Family: Petromyzontidae
Genus: Ichthyomyzon
Maximum length: 39.2 cm
Water: Freshwater
Body shape: anguilliform
Distribution: North America: St. Lawrence-Great Lakes basin from Quebec to southwest Ontario and south through upper Mississippi and Ohio river basins to Tennessee; Hudson Bay basin in Manitoba; Missouri River in Nebraska and Mississippi River in Mississippi. Readily distinguishable from the sea lamprey by its single dorsal fin.
Conservation status: LCLeast Concern

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