Pacific hagfish (Eptatretus stoutii) fish species and information / pictures of Pacific hagfish - Eptatretus stoutii

Pacific hagfish (Eptatretus stoutii) fish species information

Scientific Name
Eptatretus stoutii

Common Name
Pacific hagfish

Biology
Inhabits fine silt and clay bottoms. Enters large fishes by way of the mouth and anus and feed on its viscera and muscles. May greatly diminish catches taken with fixed gears. Produces mucilaginous slime when harassed. Probably exhibits hermaphroditism. Due to its primitive metabolism it is collected for research purposes.

Classification

Classified By

Lockington, 1878

Class

Hagfishes (Myxini)

Order

Hagfishes (Myxiniformes)

Family

Hagfishes (Myxinidae)

Distribution

Region

Eastern Pacific

Distribution

Eastern Pacific: southeastern Alaska to Bahia San Pablo, central Baja California, Mexico.

Range

Unknown

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

16 m

Depth To - meters

633 m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Marine; demersal; non-migratory; depth range 16 - 633 m

Trophic Level

4.24 s.e. 0.70 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

46.8 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: public aquariums

Vulnerability

Moderate vulnerability (37 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Fec = 28)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated