Sea lampreys in a tank at the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. Sea lampreys are a parasitic invasive species in the Great Lakes.
Are lamprey and hagfish related?
Yes. Lamprey and hagfish are both jawless fishes. They are the only living members of the taxonomical class Agnatha (Greek for 'no jaws').
Learn more: Sea Lamprey Species Profile
Related
Where can I find fish consumption advisories for my state?
Most states have set fish (and wildlife) consumption advisories and recommended consumption levels. The state agency responsible for these limits varies. Examples of consumption advisory information can be found at the Environmental Protection Agency's Fish and Shellfish Advisories and Safe Eating Guidelines website.
Are sturgeon and catfish related?
No. Although sturgeon and catfish can be found in the same habitats and they both have barbels (whiskerlike growths extending from the jaw), they are not closely related. Sturgeon are much more primitive than catfish. There are some catfish sold for aquariums that look somewhat like sturgeon, and some fish have common names that are misleading (i.e. sturgeon chub) but these fish are not related to...
What is the largest freshwater fish?
Sturgeon are the largest of the freshwater fish. The beluga sturgeon in Russia is the largest freshwater fish in the world. The white sturgeon is the largest freshwater fish in North America. White sturgeon have been reported to reach lengths of 15-20 feet and weights of nearly one ton. The second largest freshwater fish in North America is the alligator gar.
What is an invasive species and why are they a problem?
An invasive species is an introduced, nonnative organism (disease, parasite, plant, or animal) that begins to spread or expand its range from the site of its original introduction and that has the potential to cause harm to the environment, the economy, or to human health. A few well-known examples include the unintentional introduction of the West Nile virus, chestnut blight, the South American...
Sea lampreys in a tank
Sea lampreys in a tank at the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. Sea lampreys are a parasitic invasive species in the Great Lakes.
Releasing Sterlized Male Sea Lamprey into the Pigeon River, 2019
USGS Research Scientist Nicholas Johnson Releasing Sterilized Male Sea Lamprey into the Pigeon River in 2019.
USGS Research Scientist Nicholas Johnson Releasing Sterilized Male Sea Lamprey into the Pigeon River in 2019.
Scientist Holding an Adult Pacific Lamprey
Scientist holding an adult Pacific lamprey collected at Bonneville Dam. The dam is on the Columbia River between the states of Oregon and Washington.
Scientist holding an adult Pacific lamprey collected at Bonneville Dam. The dam is on the Columbia River between the states of Oregon and Washington.
Sea Lamprey Hammond Bay Biological Station
Sea Lamprey at the Hammond Bay Biological Statioin in Millersburg, MI
Sea Lamprey at the Hammond Bay Biological Statioin in Millersburg, MI
River Lamprey
Eyed juvenile river lamprey (Lampetra ayresii) caught in Skagit River smolt trap, 2011.
Eyed juvenile river lamprey (Lampetra ayresii) caught in Skagit River smolt trap, 2011.
Related
Where can I find fish consumption advisories for my state?
Most states have set fish (and wildlife) consumption advisories and recommended consumption levels. The state agency responsible for these limits varies. Examples of consumption advisory information can be found at the Environmental Protection Agency's Fish and Shellfish Advisories and Safe Eating Guidelines website.
Are sturgeon and catfish related?
No. Although sturgeon and catfish can be found in the same habitats and they both have barbels (whiskerlike growths extending from the jaw), they are not closely related. Sturgeon are much more primitive than catfish. There are some catfish sold for aquariums that look somewhat like sturgeon, and some fish have common names that are misleading (i.e. sturgeon chub) but these fish are not related to...
What is the largest freshwater fish?
Sturgeon are the largest of the freshwater fish. The beluga sturgeon in Russia is the largest freshwater fish in the world. The white sturgeon is the largest freshwater fish in North America. White sturgeon have been reported to reach lengths of 15-20 feet and weights of nearly one ton. The second largest freshwater fish in North America is the alligator gar.
What is an invasive species and why are they a problem?
An invasive species is an introduced, nonnative organism (disease, parasite, plant, or animal) that begins to spread or expand its range from the site of its original introduction and that has the potential to cause harm to the environment, the economy, or to human health. A few well-known examples include the unintentional introduction of the West Nile virus, chestnut blight, the South American...
Sea lampreys in a tank
Sea lampreys in a tank at the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. Sea lampreys are a parasitic invasive species in the Great Lakes.
Sea lampreys in a tank at the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. Sea lampreys are a parasitic invasive species in the Great Lakes.
Releasing Sterlized Male Sea Lamprey into the Pigeon River, 2019
USGS Research Scientist Nicholas Johnson Releasing Sterilized Male Sea Lamprey into the Pigeon River in 2019.
USGS Research Scientist Nicholas Johnson Releasing Sterilized Male Sea Lamprey into the Pigeon River in 2019.
Scientist Holding an Adult Pacific Lamprey
Scientist holding an adult Pacific lamprey collected at Bonneville Dam. The dam is on the Columbia River between the states of Oregon and Washington.
Scientist holding an adult Pacific lamprey collected at Bonneville Dam. The dam is on the Columbia River between the states of Oregon and Washington.
Sea Lamprey Hammond Bay Biological Station
Sea Lamprey at the Hammond Bay Biological Statioin in Millersburg, MI
Sea Lamprey at the Hammond Bay Biological Statioin in Millersburg, MI
River Lamprey
Eyed juvenile river lamprey (Lampetra ayresii) caught in Skagit River smolt trap, 2011.
Eyed juvenile river lamprey (Lampetra ayresii) caught in Skagit River smolt trap, 2011.
Updated Date: April 29, 2025