Bloodsiphon Lamprey

Field account

The Bloodsiphon Lamprey was wrapped beneath the skiff like a second wet keel. We saw only the mouth at first: a red ring of teeth opening between the planks. A translucent line ran from that mouth through the water to the wounded Miremaw on the bank. Each time the lamprey pulsed, the gator's torn hide tightened while our boatman went pale. Smaller lampreys orbited the adult as slick attendants, attaching to fish and rope floats, extending the shared current wherever blood entered water. We severed the connection by spilling bitter tannin from a bark keg across the wake. The creature released all mouths at once and twisted downstream. Do not think of a Bloodsiphon as a scavenger. It is a river organ looking for a body to serve, and the strongest bleeding thing nearby usually becomes its chosen host.

Observed behavior

The Lamprey remains beneath boats, mud shelves, or a larger ally and connects the first available wound to its chosen host. It lures prey by tugging floats and sending false ripples, then uses juveniles as a mobile screen around the feeding current. Direct attacks cause it to transfer position along the red line rather than abandon the host. Bitter tannins make every mouth release. Sealing wounds and moving into fast clean water deprive it of anchors. Once isolated, the adult is cautious and seeks deep mud rather than confronting threats.