Common Name
Magellan Hagfish
Year Described
Günther, 1870
Identification
Slime Pores
Prebranchial: 26-42
Branchial: 0
Trunk: 57-79
Tail: 9-14
Total: 99-124
Anterior unicusps: 7-10
Posterior unicusps: 7-10
Total cusps: 38-46
Tooth formula: 2/2
Body anguilliform and cylindrical. There are normally six gill pouches. No branchial pores (present in Eptratretus). Ventral finfold weakly to well developed. Caudal finfold well developed.
Color
Body reddish brown, grading to yellowish on the ventrum. Anterior part of head yellowish. Gill apertures and slime pores with pale margins. Ventral finfold margin pale yellowish. Caudal finfold sometimes with pale margin.
Size
Maximum size to 66cm TL.
Habitat
Taken on soft bottoms in relatively shallow waters from 3-146m.
Range
Known only from the vicinity of the Straits of Magellan off S. Chile. Likely occurs throughout Chilean and Argentinean Patagonia.
References
Mincarone, M. M. 2007. Revisao Taxonomica da Familia Myxinidae Rafinesque, 1814 (Myxiniformes). Tese de Doutorado, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil.
Wisner, R. L. & McMillan, C. B. 1995. Review of new world hagfishes of the genus Myxine (Agnatha, Myxinidae) with descriptions of nine new species. Fishery Bulletin 93: 530-550.