Eptatretus goliath Mincarone & Stewart, 2006
Goliath hagfish
photo by Mincarone, M.M.

Family:  Myxinidae (Hagfishes), subfamily: Eptatretinae
Max. size:  127.5 cm TL (female); max.weight: 6,200.0 g
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range - 811 m
Distribution:  Southwest Pacific: off New Zealand.
Diagnosis:  Diagnosis: Distinguished from its congeners by the unique combination of the following characters: 7 pairs of gill pouches; 3-cusp multicusps in anterior and posterior rows; 11-13 unicusps in anterior rows; 9 unicusps in posterior rows; 54 total cusps; 14-15 prebranchial pores; 57-58 trunk pores; 13-14 tail pores; 92 total pores; ventral finfold prominent (Ref. 57440).
Biology:  Adult female holotype had dozens of small eggs, 45 X 14 mm, in the mesentery, which was attached to the body wall. The eggs did not have terminal anchor filaments and hooks (Ref. 57440).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 10 November 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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