Lethenteron japonica
(50cm)
* Endangered Species

Habitat : As an anadromous species, in late spring, breeding adult swims up to rivers, and spawn in gravel riffles and runs of stream. Eggs hatch into blind-larvae called 'ammocoetes' which live in mud, sand-bottomed pool. They migrate into the ocean after metamorphosis into adults. Larvae feed mainly on organic matters deposited in substrate and adult is parasitic to larger fish.

Range:  Native to north Pacific:  NE Siberia, Russian Far East, eastern North Korea, eastern South Korea, Japan, Alaska of the U.S, west coast of Canada and the U.S.

Threats : Uncertain. Polluted sediments, mines, quarries, revetment constructions for flood control and livestock farmlands sewage appear to be main threats to the larvae, ammocoetes.

Conservation action : No report on protective measurements.

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Red dots : Where this species is living nowadays.
Blue dots : Where this species have been disappeared.

* Habitat of Lampetra japonica (Buk River: Goseong county, Kangwon Province)