Black Hagfish

This eel-like species is uniform black, or dark brown. It can also appear prune-colored, and often piebald with light spots. The edges of the ventral finfolds and caudal may have a light colour. Unlike the Pacific hagfish, the black hagfish does not have a white ring around their gill pores. It has no true fins, but instead, one dorsal finfold, far back on its body. It has a moderately broad and round caudal, with ray-like markings. The ventral finfold is very low. The black hagfish is scaleless, and ranges from 30–89 cm (12–35 in),[9] with an average maximum overall length of 64 cm (25 in).

This species has four hearts, and 10 to 14 pairs of gill pores, It has rudimentary eyes. Although they have poor vision, they have a highly developed sense of smell and touch. The head of this species has one, large nostril, and eight barbels that surround the mouth and nostril. They have two parallel rows of horny teeth.

Abilities

Similar to other hagfish species, the hagfish has been dubbed the most "disgusting" of all sea creatures by members of the scientific and popular media due to its peculiar eating habits and ability to produce slime. Hagfish, despite being referred to as "slime eels" at times, are not actually eels.

Weather Phenomenon

Coming soon

Ecology

ugh

Behavior

This species targets fish trapped by hook or trap, just like other hagfish. To eat the meat and viscera inside the prey's body, they dig inside it. They also consume dead fish carcasses that have sunk to the ocean floor. Generally speaking, hagifish pose little threat to people. When threatened, they are known to produce copious amounts of slime, however this slime is harmless.

Distribution and Habitat

The black hagfish are strictly marine, and are found in the Eastern Pacific from southeastern Alaska to central Baja California, and Mexico. These Bathydemersal fish live in the mesopelagic to abyssal Pacific Ocean, near the ocean floor between depths of 103 and 2,743 metres (338 and 8,999 ft).

Movement Pattern: Random
Individual Type: Solo
Population Trend: Unknown
Population: ???
Locomotion: Aquatic
Habitat: Warm Littoral; Cold Littoral; Warm Intertidal; Cold Intertidal; Kelp Forest; Coral Reef; Barrier Reef; Guyot; Neritic Zone (Warm); Neritic Zone (Cold); Pelagic Zone (Warm); Pelagic Zone (Cold); Benthic Zone.
Earth:
- Extant (Resident): Canada; Mexico; United States
Berbania/Hirawhassa:
- Extant & Introduced: ugh
Reinachos/Ityosel:
- Extant & Introduced: ugh