Brown hagfish
📖 Overview
Brown hagfish (Eptatretus atami) is a ray-finned fish of the family Myxinidae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in deep-water environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 61 cm. It occurs at depths between 300 and 536 metres. With a trophic level of 4.5, it is an apex predator. It is assessed as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List. Commercially fished and consumed as food.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Gill pouches (GP) 6 pairs with gill apertures closely spaced in a fairly straight line; 1-2 GP at end of dental muscle. Ventral aorta splitting at about GP 5-6. Fused cusps 3/3. Total cusps 47-52. Prebranchial slime pores 12-19. Total pores 71-78. Eyespots faint or absent. Ventral finfold low to vestigial .: eel-like.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Brown hagfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Copulatory organ absent. The gonads of hagfishes are situated in the peritoneal cavity. The ovary is found in the anterior portion of the gonad, and the testis is found in the posterior part. The animal becomes female if the cranial part of the gonad develops or male if the caudal part undergoes differentiation. If none develops, then the animal becomes sterile. If both anterior and posterior parts develop, then the animal becomes a functional hermaphrodite. However, hermaphroditism being characterised as functional needs to be validated by more reproduction studies .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; bathydemersal; non-migratory; depth range 300 - 536 m . Deep-water Northwest Pacific: Japan.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Brown hagfish is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Detailed nutritional data for Brown hagfish is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Brown hagfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Brown Hagfish |
| 🌍CES | pasliznatka atamská |
| 🇩🇪German | Brauner Schleimaal |
| 🇫🇮Finnish | ruskolimaaja |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Kuro-mekura-unagi · Kuronutaunagi · クロヌタウナギ |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Японская парамиксина |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paramyxine atami | Dean | 1904 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 4 records indexed .
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