Broadgilled Hagfish
Eptatretus cirrhatus
- Group: Other
- Typical depth: 0–1100 m
- Max size: 97 cm
- For divers: safe
- IUCN status: LC
A primitive jawless fish, it ties itself into a knot and produces clouds of slime to escape predators and to wrench food from carcasses on the soft slope bottoms. It can form dense local populations near inshore reefs and grows to nearly a metre in cool New Zealand waters.
Taxonomy: Animalia › Chordata › Myxini › Myxiniformes › Myxinidae › Eptatretus
Species data via the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS), AphiaID 279276.
FAQ
- How deep does the Broadgilled Hagfish live?
- The Broadgilled Hagfish (Eptatretus cirrhatus) is typically found at 0–1100 m.
- Is the Broadgilled Hagfish dangerous to divers?
- The Broadgilled Hagfish is harmless to divers.
- How big does the Broadgilled Hagfish get?
- The Broadgilled Hagfish grows to about 97 cm.