Atlantic Hagfish (Myxine glutinosa)

$120.00

Live Atlantic Hagfish (Myxine glutinosa)
Please note this is a live marine specimen.

The Atlantic Hagfish (Myxine glutinosa) is a fascinating jawless fish inhabiting the deep, cold waters off the Maine coast. As one of the ocean’s oldest vertebrates, it plays an important role in marine ecosystems by feeding on decaying organisms on the seafloor. Known for its smooth, scaleless skin and unique ability to produce protective slime, the hagfish offers a rare opportunity to study primitive vertebrate anatomy, physiology, and evolution. Sustainably collected by deep-water trapping, each specimen represents one of the most remarkable survivors of ancient marine life.

Key Facts:
Common name: Atlantic hagfish
Scientific name: Myxine glutinosa
Locations: In deep water at the ocean floor
Seasonality: Available all year
Color: Tan, pink, grey
Size: 18”+
Collected: Deep water trapping
Quantity: Sold by the each
Note: This is a live marine specimen. Natural variations in size, color, and appearance from photos should be expected. If you would like any specimen preserved, please send a request to: info@gulfofme.com.

Live Atlantic Hagfish (Myxine glutinosa)
Please note this is a live marine specimen.

The Atlantic Hagfish (Myxine glutinosa) is a fascinating jawless fish inhabiting the deep, cold waters off the Maine coast. As one of the ocean’s oldest vertebrates, it plays an important role in marine ecosystems by feeding on decaying organisms on the seafloor. Known for its smooth, scaleless skin and unique ability to produce protective slime, the hagfish offers a rare opportunity to study primitive vertebrate anatomy, physiology, and evolution. Sustainably collected by deep-water trapping, each specimen represents one of the most remarkable survivors of ancient marine life.

Key Facts:
Common name: Atlantic hagfish
Scientific name: Myxine glutinosa
Locations: In deep water at the ocean floor
Seasonality: Available all year
Color: Tan, pink, grey
Size: 18”+
Collected: Deep water trapping
Quantity: Sold by the each
Note: This is a live marine specimen. Natural variations in size, color, and appearance from photos should be expected. If you would like any specimen preserved, please send a request to: info@gulfofme.com.

See how a Hagfish moves it's body and mouthparts. This is a jawless fish related to a Sea Lamprey! We caught several and made a movie of this one.

Myxine glutinosa, also known as the hagfish, makes a slime to protect itself. See Tim get grossed out as he inspects the slime that this jawless fish secretes.

Tidepool Tim says,  “These primitive animals are from the pre-jaw era of agnathans! They are a relic of ancient times. They may be quite disgusting, but their abilities are awe-inspiring for several reasons. For example, when predators attack them, they secrete slime at a rate of 4 cups in less than a second! The slime is a mix of fibers and mucus that clog the predator’ gills every time.

Hagfish are the only animal in the kingdom with a cranium, but no spinal column. This fish is an early “chordate,” animals with notochords (or spinal column + notochord remnants, like humans). Hagfish can also escape a predator’s mouth by tying itself into a knot! The knot shape is also used to leverage their weight when feeding on a big, dead prey item.

Maybe even more amazing, hagfish hearts can beat for three hours with absolutely no oxygen, using fats instead!”

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