The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 43
Lampreys are primitive, eel-like fish found in both freshwater and marine environments. Unlike most fish, they lack jaws and instead have a round, suction-cup mouth lined with tiny teeth, giving them a very distinctive appearance.
Many lamprey species have a complex life cycle, living as larvae in river sediments before migrating to open water. Some are parasitic, attaching to other fish, while others do not feed as adults, making them a fascinating and diverse group of ancient vertebrates.