Re: NANFA-- Re: lamprey attack

Joshua L Wiegert (jlw_at_dune.net)
Sat, 21 Feb 2004 10:41:13 -0500

Hi Chris and all.

I'm afraid I've never seen a literature refference to lamprey attacks --
I've also admittedly never looked. The information I have is simply
anectodal, which I should not take as one hundred percent true. I've heard
from several fisheries biologists in the area, as well as DEC members that
human attacks by lampreys were commonly reported and second only to hauling
in fish with a lamprey attached as a reported complaint.
I'll talk to some of the people I've heard the stories from and see if
they can give a published refference for you, assuming I don't forget, on
Monday.

Joshua.

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----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Christopher Scharpf" <ichthos_at_comcast.net>
To: <nanfa_at_aquaria.net>
Cc: <matttcoburn_at_hotmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, February 21, 2004 6:59 AM
Subject: Re: NANFA-- Re: lamprey attack




> > As weird sounding as this is, I"m afraid its not that unusual.... it
happens
> > all the time, especially when lampreys reach high population densities
or
> > when food is very scarce.
>
> I've never seen this reported in the literature. What is your source for
> this, Josh?
>
> The only story of a lamprey "attacking" a human I've seen is from Scott
and
> Crossman (1973), in which they report that sea lamprey sometimes attach
> themselves to long distance swimmers in the Great Lakes, but only after
the
> swimmer has been in the water a long time and his or her skin temp. is
> lowered. Suffice it to say, I would be EXCEEDDINGLY interested in other
> credible stories of lampreys attaching to humans.
>
> > THey're opportunistic predators, and if they're hungry enough, they'll
attack
> > anything -- including a human being.
>
> I would add a disclaimer to the "opportunistic predator" part. Most
> parasitic lampreys have specialized feeding habits. Some species prefer
> blood, others flesh, fins, bones, or internal organs. Lampreys also attach
> to different parts of a fish depending on whether the lamprey prefers
bodily
> fluids or muscle tissue. According to NANFA member Phil Cochran, large
> anadromous lampreys tend to attach to the undersides of their hosts, where
> fewer scales, thinner muscles, and more numerous blood vessels allow
> lampreys to receive more food for less work. Smaller freshwater lampreys
in
> shallower waters tend to feed on muscle tissue, and attach to the backs of
> their hosts, possible to avoid abrasion against the bottom.
>
> Matt, based on the location of the occurrence you describe, the lamprey
must
> have been either the short-headed lamprey (Mordacia mordax), or the
pouched
> lamprey (Geotria australis).
>
> Chris Scharpf
> Baltimore

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/ reflect the beliefs or goals of the North American Native Fishes
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/ nanfa_at_aquaria.net. To subscribe, unsubscribe, or get help, send the word
/ subscribe, unsubscribe, or help in the body (not subject) of an email to
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/ For more information about NANFA, visit our web page, http://www.nanfa.org