134 



UNDERWATER GUIDE TO MARINE LIFE 



Fig. 45. Sea lamprey. 



SEA lamprey: Petromyzon marinus 



Size: Up to 3 feet. 



Weight: Up to 3 pounds. 



Distribution: The North Atlantic of Europe and the United States south to 

 Chesapeake Bay and rarely to Florida. 



Identification: Same as for the family. 



Habits: This lamprey is known to attack members of the cod and mackerel 

 families. Probably it also preys on other soft-scaled fish. Fish are sometimes 

 caught by fishermen which bear the scars of such attack. They have not been 

 recorded attacking warm-blooded prey such as man, but if one does attach to 

 an arm or a leg, so strong is the grip, it cannot be pulled off. However, raising 

 the animal out of the water will cause it to release its hold. 



Similar Species: The Pacific lamprey, Entospheniis tridentatiis, is common 

 from Alaska to southern California. It is landlocked in Goose and Clear Lakes 

 in California. Its prey mainly consists of salmon and steelhead trout. This species 

 is very similar to the East Coast form. 



SLIME EELS OR HAGFISHES: Family Myxinidae 



These are distinguished from lamprevs by the four pairs of short barbels on 

 the head, lack of eyes, a somewhat smaller size, and a continuous dorsal fin. 



MOUTH 



Fig. 46. Pacific hagfsh. 



