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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🌡️ Deep-water

Whiteface hagfish

Myxine circifrons Garman, 1899
Max Length
65 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.4
Depth
700–1860 m
Climate
Deep-water
Resilience
Low
Vulnerability
50.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
deep-water

📖 Overview

Whiteface hagfish (Myxine circifrons) 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 65 cm. It occurs at depths between 700 and 1860 metres. With a trophic level of 3.4, it is a low-level carnivore, feeding on invertebrates and small organisms. It is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Scientific Name
Myxine circifrons
Authority
Garman, 1899
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Deep-water
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
65 cm
Depth Range
700–1860 m
Trophic Level
3.4
Resilience
Low
Vulnerability
50.00/100
Migration
Non-migratory
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Hagfishes
Myxini
Order
Myxiniformes
Myxiniformes
Family
Myxinidae
Myxinidae
Genus
Myxine
Myxine
Species
Whiteface hagfish
Myxine circifrons

🐟 Physical Description

: eel-like.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Whiteface hagfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Whiteface 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; bathydemersal; non-migratory; depth range 700 - 1860 m . Deep-water

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🌑 Deep Water
Migration
Non-migratory
Trophic Level
3.4±0.6

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00115 × L3.03 (TL)
Max TL
65cm

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2009

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Low
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
50.00/100
Moderate-High vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.4
Predator
Climate Zone
Deep-water
Described By
Garman, 1899

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Language Common Names
🇬🇧English Whiteface Hagfish
🌍CES sliznatka okrouhločelá
🇫🇮Finnish valkokuonolimaaja
🇪🇸Spanish bruja trompa blanca · Lamprea Babosa · Lamprea de Mar

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 10 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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