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What happens to many lampreys after they spawn?
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Lamprey (Lampetra) on rainbow trout.
After lampreys complete their spawning process, they die.12
Whether they are parasitic species that migrate to the sea or nonparasitic species that remain in fresh water, the reproductive cycle concludes with the death of the adult lamprey. For instance, after reaching maturity and migrating to a spawning ground to mate, the adult lamprey ceases feeding and dies shortly thereafter. Similarly, nonparasitic species, such as the brook lamprey, do not feed after undergoing metamorphosis; they simply mature sexually, reproduce, and die.12