Atlantic Hagfish (Myxine glutinosa) Slime

from $140.00
Quantity:

Atlantic Hagfish Slime (Myxine glutinosa)

The Atlantic Hagfish (Myxine glutinosa) is one of the most ancient vertebrates in the ocean, known for its extraordinary ability to produce a fibrous, mucin-rich slime as a defense mechanism. This unique marine secretion expands rapidly in seawater, forming a dense, protein-based gel that has long fascinated biologists and material scientists alike. Collected fresh from hagfish caught in the deep, cold waters off the coast of Maine, this natural substance is ideal for use in marine biology labs, biomaterial studies, and research collections exploring evolutionary adaptations and bioengineering potential.

Key Facts:
Common name: Atlantic hagfish
Scientific name: Myxine glutinosa
Locations: In deep water at the ocean floor
Seasonality: Available all year
Quantity: Sold in 1lb & 200ml packs


Note: This is a marine specimen secretion. Natural variations in texture, color, and appearance from photos should be expected. If you would like wholesale info, please send a request to: info@gulfofme.com.

Atlantic Hagfish Slime (Myxine glutinosa)

The Atlantic Hagfish (Myxine glutinosa) is one of the most ancient vertebrates in the ocean, known for its extraordinary ability to produce a fibrous, mucin-rich slime as a defense mechanism. This unique marine secretion expands rapidly in seawater, forming a dense, protein-based gel that has long fascinated biologists and material scientists alike. Collected fresh from hagfish caught in the deep, cold waters off the coast of Maine, this natural substance is ideal for use in marine biology labs, biomaterial studies, and research collections exploring evolutionary adaptations and bioengineering potential.

Key Facts:
Common name: Atlantic hagfish
Scientific name: Myxine glutinosa
Locations: In deep water at the ocean floor
Seasonality: Available all year
Quantity: Sold in 1lb & 200ml packs


Note: This is a marine specimen secretion. Natural variations in texture, color, and appearance from photos should be expected. If you would like wholesale info, 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!”