River Lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis
The River Lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis) is an ancient, jawless vertebrate that spends its adult phase as a parasite, attaching to host fish in estuarine waters before ascending rivers to spawn in clean, gravel-bedded reaches. After spawning, the adults die, and larvae spend several years burrowed in fine riverbed sediment before migrating downstream. Suffolk’s rivers – including the Stour, Orwell, and Waveney – support this species, and improved water quality and fish-pass installations have benefited populations. The River Lamprey is a species of principal importance under the Environment Act and a priority for river management in the county. Image: © Hans Hillewaert, iNaturalist.
Find out more: Suffolk Wildlife Trust, iNaturalist, Marine Life Information Network
Suffolk’s Priority Freshwater Fish Species
Key
Listed as a conservation priority in Suffolk’s Biodiversity Action Plan.
Closely associated with Suffolk’s landscape and natural identity.
Identified as a key priority for recovery under Suffolk’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
Has a Species of the Month article attached.
