Home · Petromyzontidae · Pit-Klamath brook lamprey
Pit-Klamath brook lamprey (Entosphenus lethophagus) — Petromyzontidae

Pit-Klamath brook lamprey

Entosphenus lethophagus

The Pit-Klamath brook lamprey (Entosphenus lethophagus) is a freshwater fish of the family Petromyzontidae that grows up to 22 cm.

Length
22 cm
Water
Freshwater
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Pit-Klamath brook lamprey is a lamprey (Petromyzontidae) from fresh water of the Pit and Klamath basins in Oregon and California, in the western United States. The species grows to about 17 cm and has a slender, eel-like, jawless body with a round sucker mouth and seven gill openings. It is a non-parasitic species: the larvae live for years buried in stream beds filtering detritus, while the adults do not feed and only spawn. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pit-Klamath brook lamprey?

The Pit-Klamath brook lamprey has a snake-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Pit-Klamath brook lamprey live?

The Pit-Klamath brook lamprey lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Pit-Klamath brook lamprey get?

The Pit-Klamath brook lamprey grows to a maximum of about 22 cm. On average the species is around 14 cm.

Is the Pit-Klamath brook lamprey dangerous to humans?

No, the Pit-Klamath brook lamprey is harmless to humans.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Pit-Klamath-beekprik sourced
English name
Pit-Klamath brook lamprey sourced
Scientific name
Entosphenus lethophagus
Family
Petromyzontidae
Other names
Pit–Klamath brook lamprey verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
22.0 verified
Average length (cm)
14.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Entosphenus

More from the family Petromyzontidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →