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Eptatretus stouti (Lockington, 1878)
Pacific Hagfish
Family: tbd

Photograph

© Rose Klinkenberg     (Photo ID #7734)

Map

Source: Distribution of Eptatretus stouti as compiled by Aquamaps

Species Information

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 0. No true fins - one dorsal finfold, far back, median, very low, continuous with caudal; caudal broad, rounded; ventral finfold very low, origin somewhat posterior to last gill pore, extending to anus (Ref. 6885). Dark brown, tan, gray, or brownish red, often tinted with blue or purple, never black, lighter ventrally, rarely with large patches of white; preserved specimens light brown (Ref. 6885).

Source: FishBase. Fernholm, B. 1998 . (Ref. 31276).

Biology

Species Biology

Inhabits fine silt and clay bottoms (Ref. 6885). Enters large fishes by way of the mouth and anus and feed on its viscera and muscles (Ref. 6885). May greatly diminish catches taken with fixed gears (Ref. 6885). Produces mucilaginous slime when harassed (Ref. 6885). Probably exhibits hermaphroditism (Ref. 56947). demersal; non-migratory; marine; depth range 16 - 633 m (Ref. 31276). Temperate.

Source: FishBase. Fernholm, B. 1998 . (Ref. 31276).

Distribution

Distribution

Eastern Pacific: southeastern Alaska to Bahia San Pablo, central Baja California, Mexico.

Source: FishBase. Fernholm, B. 1998 . (Ref. 31276).

Status Information

Origin StatusProvincial StatusBC List
(Red Blue List)
COSEWIC
NativeSNRNo StatusNot Listed



BC Ministry of Environment: BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer--the authoritative source for conservation information in British Columbia.

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