The chestnut lamprey has a maximum length of around 38 centimetres (15 in),[4] with a tan to yellowish-olive hue above, the sides, belly, and fin lighter.

When the lamprey has hatched from its egg into the larvae stage, it is limited to pools or backwater areas with a sand or sandy mud bottom.

[6] The young lampreys filter feed for food for around five to seven years until they are large enough to attach themselves to a host species.

[4] Adults are parasitic and feed on other fish by clamping to their side with their suctorial mouths and creating a wound with their teeth to obtain body fluids.

For instance, larval lampreys will starve if large particulate matter regularly block their mouths.