Eptatretus atami (Dean, 1904)
Brown hagfish

Family:  Myxinidae (Hagfishes), subfamily: Eptatretinae
Max. size:  61 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 300 - 536 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Northwest Pacific: Japan. Notoriously confused with other unnamed species around Japan (Ref. 31276).
Diagnosis:  Gill pouches (GP) 6 pairs with gill apertures closely spaced in a fairly straight line; 1-2 GP at end of dental muscle. Ventral aorta splitting at about GP 5-6. Fused cusps 3/3. Total cusps 47-52. Prebranchial slime pores 12-19. Total pores 71-78. Eyespots faint or absent. Ventral finfold low to vestigial (Ref. 51420).
Biology:  Attains over 50 cm TL (Ref. 559).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 13 November 2008 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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