Depth
Petromyzon · Bony Fish

Sea Lamprey

Petromyzon marinus

Variable
Depth Range
Variable
Max Size
Mediterranean
Distribution
Variable
Depth Range
Variable
Max Size
Variable
Habitat
Variable
Diet
Variable
Social
LC
IUCN Status
Rare
Sighting Likelihood
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassHyperoartia
GenusPetromyzon
Speciesmarinus

Bony Fish

Identification & Biology

  • IdentificationPrimitive, jawless fish with an elongated, eel-like body. Circular, sucker-like mouth ringed with rows of sharp teeth. Seven circular gill openings on each side behind the head. Smooth, scaleless skin mottled brown and yellow.
  • SizeUp to 120 cm total length, commonly 60 to 90 cm.
  • Social HabitSolitary as an adult. Migrates from the sea into rivers to spawn. Parasitic on large fish during the marine phase.
  • HabitatMarine waters during the adult feeding phase, migrating into rivers to spawn. Larvae live buried in river sediment for several years.
  • Depth0 to 500 m in the marine phase.
  • Feeds OnBlood and body fluids of large fish (tuna, swordfish, sharks) attached using its sucker mouth. Larvae filter-feed in river sediment.
  • DistributionEastern Atlantic from Norway to the Mediterranean, including rivers flowing into the Mediterranean Sea.
  • DescriptionA living fossil that has changed little in 360 million years. The sea lamprey is a jawless, parasitic fish that attaches to larger hosts using its circular, toothed mouth and feeds on their blood. After spending years as larvae buried in river mud, adults migrate to the sea to feed, then return to rivers to spawn and die. A rare and fascinating encounter.

Range

Habitat & Distribution

Found across the Mediterranean Sea. Habitat and depth details to be confirmed.

Where Malta divers have spotted this species

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Sightings are logged by divers using our What Did You See? dive-log tool. View the full live sightings map.

Detail

Preferred Environment

Habitat details for Sea Lamprey to be confirmed. Most commonly encountered in Mediterranean waters.

Encounter Tips

Best approached slowly and calmly. Avoid casting shadows directly over the animal. Neutral buoyancy and patience increase encounter success significantly.

Sea Lamprey species card

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Where to Encounter in Malta

Dive sites where Petromyzon marinus may be encountered will be added as sighting data is collected.

IUCN Red ListLeast Concern

Conservation Status

This species is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Mediterranean populations face ongoing pressure from fishing activity, habitat degradation, and climate-driven changes.

Source: IUCN Red List
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