"Vampire fish" caught in Virginia river: why scientists called it a good sign

A parasitic "vampire fish" that frightens with its scary teeth was caught in the Potomac River in Virginia. Since this water body in the American city of Alexandria is highly polluted, the presence of the fish in it is evidence that the river is cleaner than previously thought.

Lamprey are quite sensitive to pollution. Therefore, the residents of Alexandria greeted the news of the vampire fish in their reservoir with joy, Dailymail reports.

A local resident of Alexandria pulled a sea lamprey from the Potomac River with his bare hands, which looks like an eel. However, if you look into its suction cup mouth, which is covered with sharp teeth, it becomes frightening. The lamprey sucks on its victim and slowly sucks out all the liquids from it.

Sea lampreys are an invasive species that were originally indigenous to the Atlantic Ocean. But in the 1800s, these creatures invaded lakes and rivers through artificial channels and marine docks. But after lampreys reach maturity at four to five years of age, they leave freshwater rivers to live the rest of their lives in the ocean.

The Potomac River has been polluted for a long time, and government agencies have taken many measures to clean it up. Therefore, the appearance of sea lamprey, which is very sensitive to toxins, indicates that the pollution is finally subsiding.

"The resurgence of the sea lamprey is another indication that water quality is improving," said Jim Cummins, deputy director of the Potomac Bay Reporter's Living Resources Division.

Since 1989, the Alice Ferguson Foundation has led an annual cleanup of the Potomac River watershed, and the Washington Clean Rivers Program has invested $2.6 billion to reduce pollution.

Studies are underway to determine if the river will be clean enough to lift the swimming ban within the next two to three years, according to the Potomac Conservancy.

It is true that lampreys can accidentally suck on people swimming in the water. Although the bite is not fatal, it is painful, and untreated wounds can cause infection.

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