Cologne's Rhine becomes an alien hotspot: angler catches sea lamprey!

Cologne's Rhine becomes an alien hotspot: angler catches sea lamprey!

What was that? A hobby angler from Cologne, Stefan Scheer, recently caught something incredible in the Rhine: a sea lamprey! This scary animal reminded him of aliens from the film “Men in Black” and puts many beautiful fishing experiences to shame. Scheer actually specializes in predatory fish such as zander, catfish, perch and pike, but his catch has now made him the talk of the town.

The sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) is not an ordinary fish, but an endangered animal that is found primarily in the North Sea and rises to spawn in rivers such as the Rhine. This is reported by the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger, and there is hardly anyone who has ever made such a catch. Stefan Scheer suspects that the sea lamprey swam across the North Sea to Cologne - a truly unusual route for the parasite.

The scary fish

With a length of over one meter, the sea lamprey can weigh up to four kilograms. Its mouth-like sucker with pointed teeth is particularly characteristic. And yes, it actually only has two eyes - the gill holes were often incorrectly counted in the past. Scheer reports on the fascination that this catch gave him, especially because the animal is more than 360 million years old and has still survived in our waters.

The BfN provides interesting details about the reproduction of the sea lamprey. The females spawn between May and July and can lay up to 240,000 eggs. The larvae feed on algae and bacteria until adolescence before becoming parasitic adults. So if we take a closer look at this special fish, one would be surprised at how much these “aliens” suffer to survive in the sweet water.

Protective measures are necessary

The danger to the sea lamprey should not be underestimated. Pollution of waterways, river straightening and other human interventions endanger the habitats of the larvae. As the flow speed increases, the sea lamprey's habitat is further reduced. Cross structures also hinder spawning, which has tragic consequences for the continued existence of the species.

To counteract this threat, measures to restore rivers and create suitable habitats are essential. These facts raise awareness about protecting such fascinating creatures and their role in our ecosystem. It remains to be hoped that these efforts will bear fruit in time.

Stefan Scheer released the sea lamprey back into the water because the animal is protected all year round. Despite the excitement surrounding his catch, Scheer describes fishing as relaxation and a thrill - and that's exactly what makes him love this hobby. Who would have thought that you could actually catch “aliens” in the Rhine?