A synonym for lamprey is eel.
While lampreys and eels are both elongated, fish-like creatures, they belong to different families and have distinct characteristics.
- Lampreys: are jawless fish with a circular mouth filled with sharp teeth. They are parasitic and attach themselves to other fish to feed on their blood.
- Eels: have jaws and a more streamlined body shape. They are not parasitic and feed on a variety of smaller organisms.
While "eel" is a common synonym for lamprey, it's important to remember that it's not a perfect substitute.