Fish species have the ability to “exist” to the point of threatening the environment 

Based on the characteristics of sea lampreys, people also call them with a number of other names such as vampire fish, ninja fish or an equally interesting nickname, the fish that “hides its head and shows its tail” because when When caught, they often curl their heads up as if they are hiding. 

Talking about the history of this fish species will certainly surprise many people because they are parasitic fish that appeared more than 360 million years ago. Even after such a long time, they are one of the few creatures that preserve their shape. 

Sea lampreys have survived for millions of years in a very brutal way, by sucking the blood of sea creatures and even their own kind. Specifically, when they identify a target, they will use their tongue like a sharp needle to penetrate the scales and suck blood. Therefore, if no authorities closely monitor the development of this fish species, the risk of extinction of other native species in the area is inevitable. According to statistics, just one individual sea lamprey can destroy 40 other individuals within 1 year.  

Sea lampreys have a special mouth structure. Photo:  vermontjournal.com

Although they are spineless fish with no jaws, sea lampreys have a powerful weapon: their cartilage-covered mouth. With just its mouth, the sea lamprey has become a formidable predator in the ocean world. The prey of this fish is not only small invertebrate animals but also fish many times larger than them. Such as salmon, herring, basking shark,…  

Why is the sea lamprey an indestructible species? 

Although this fish species appears on the list of harmful fish species in many countries, if we look closely at the positive and negative effects of sea lamprey, we will realize that it is impossible to destroy it. they. 

In terms of benefits, David L. Deen – a member of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Commission and the Connecticut Atlantic Salmon River Commission – has made an argument that makes many people “anti” sea lampreys. must think again. Because they make great contributions to the aquatic environment, specifically as a native fish species in the Connecticut River.  

This fish makes a silent contribution by transporting trace elements from the ocean upstream, where those micronutrients originate, to improve the chemical balance of the river. Besides, as soon as they die after the breeding season, this fish becomes the foundation of a new food chain for other creatures. 

Sea lampreys are not exactly pests. Photo: fws.gov

However, when we consider their negative impacts on native species, we must consider the need to destroy these fish. In fact, this has been done by many countries, but the process of “cleaning up” sea lamprey completely is impossible. Currently, people only exterminate sea lamprey in the larval stage, but when this fish matures, the possibility of successful extermination is almost zero. 

It can be seen that sea lamprey is a rare fish that has both benefits and harms mixed together. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully analyze each different case to have the most appropriate and timely way to deal with them to ensure the survival of sea lampreys as well as not disrupt the balance of the environment. school.