Common name: Pacific Lamprey
Family: Zoarcidae
Species: Lampetra tridentata
Description: The Pacific Lamprey is long and round. It has no scales and feels slimy. It has a mouth that is turned down and designed for sucking
Habitat: Young Lampreys live in muddy river bottoms. Adults live in the ocean until returning to freshwater to spawn.
Range/migration: Baja California to northern Alaska and Asia. Pacific Lamprey are born in freshwater, migrate to saltwater and then return to freshwater to spawn.
Food: Microscopic plants and animals.
Reproduction: Spawning takes place from July to October. Nests are made in areas where water levels are low and the stream bed is sandy or gravelly. Feamles lay up to 100,000 small eggs which are fertilized by the male. After hatching, young lamprey bury themselves in the mud for 4-6 years. They emerge as adults and travel downstream to saltwater.
Enemies: Habitat destruction, dams
More information:
http://www.psmfc.org/habitat/edu_lamprey_fact.html
http://www.onrc.org/press/057.lamprey.html