Pouch Lamprey, Geotria australis Gray, 1851

Scientific name: Geotria australis
Pouch Lamprey Click to enlarge image
A Pouch Lamprey from Western Australia. Image: philbenstead
© philbenstead (iNaturalist)

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Geotria
    Species
    australis
    Family
    Geotriidae
    Order
    Petromyzontiformes
    Class
    Petromyzontida
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    Maximum length 60 cm, more commonly to 45 - 50 cm.

Introduction

The Pouch Lamprey is a jawless fish that has skin flaps around the mouth.

Habitat

Larvae (ammocoetes) live in mud burrows in the upper reaches of streams then migrate down to the sea after about 4 years. Spawning migrations of adults take them upstream into fresh waters.

Distribution

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

References

  1. Allen, G.R., Midgley, S.H. & M. Allen. 2002. Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 394.