Filter-Feeding Pacific Lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus) Ammocetes Can Reduce Suspended Concentrations of E. coli Bacteria

Filter-feeding invertebrates such as bivalves have been shown to improve the health of aquatic systems by reducing concentrations bacteria and other harmful suspended organisms, but it remains unknown if microphagous suspension-feeding fishes can provide similar ecosystem services for water quality. Here, we tested whether presence filter-feeding larval ammocoete life-stage Pacific lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus) reduce Escherichia coli bacteria. Aquaria containing either larvae (1.5 fish·L−1), macropthalmia juveniles fish·L−1) that do not suspension-feed, or no (control) were filled with contaminated E. then monitored 5 d concentration changes in column. The generated a significantly faster decline abundance compared aquaria macropthalmia-stage fish, which showed profiles over period. A higher density ammocoetes (4.3 resulted more rapid lower 1.5 fish·L−1 density, further implying augmented bacterial clearance. These observations evidence may help promote water-quality enhancement concentrations.