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🌊 Marine Data Deficient 🌡️ Deep-water

Shorthead hagfish

Eptatretus mcconnaugheyi Wisner & McMillan, 1990
Max Length
48.2 cm
Max Weight
Lifespan
Trophic Level
4.1
Depth
43–415 m
Climate
Deep-water
Resilience
Low
Vulnerability
44.00/100
Typical Length
Depth Zone
deep-water

📖 Overview

Shorthead hagfish (Eptatretus mcconnaugheyi) is a ray-finned fish of the family Myxinidae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in benthic, deep-water environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 48.2 cm. It occurs at depths between 43 and 415 metres. With a trophic level of 4.1, it is a mid-level predator. It is assessed as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List.

Scientific Name
Eptatretus mcconnaugheyi
Authority
Wisner & McMillan, 1990
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Deep-water
IUCN Status
DD
Max Length
48.2 cm
Depth Range
43–415 m
Trophic Level
4.1
Resilience
Low
Vulnerability
44.00/100
Migration
Non-migratory
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Hagfishes
Myxini
Order
Myxiniformes
Myxiniformes
Family
Myxinidae
Myxinidae
Genus
Eptatretus
Eptatretus
Species
Shorthead hagfish
Eptatretus mcconnaugheyi

🐟 Physical Description

: eel-like.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Shorthead hagfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Shorthead hagfish is currently being compiled.

🥚 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; demersal; non-migratory; depth range 43 - 415 m . Deep-water Central Pacific: off southern California and in lower Gulf of California.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🌑 Deep Water ⬇️ Benthic
Migration
Non-migratory
Trophic Level
4.1±0.7

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00204 × L2.93 (TL)
Max TL
48.2cm

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Data Deficient
Assessment Date
2009

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Low
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
44.00/100
Moderate vulnerability
Trophic Level
4.1
Apex / Top predator
Climate Zone
Deep-water
Described By
Wisner & McMillan, 1990

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Language Common Names
🇬🇧English shorthead hagfish
🌍CES pasliznatka McConnaughova
🇫🇮Finnish kalifornianlimaaja
🇷🇺Russian Короткоголовый пиявкорот
🇪🇸Spanish bruja cabeza chica

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — 5 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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