Scientific Name: Myxine sp.
Classification
Phylum: Chordata -Dorsal tubular nerve cord, gill-slits and notochord present.
Subphylum: Vertebarata -Vertebral column present.
Superclass: Agnatha -Jaws and paired appendages absent.
Class: Cyclostomata -Mouth circular, suctorial, without jaws.
Order: Myxinoidea -Mouth without funnel, with 8 tentacles. Gills 10 to 14 pairs. Branchial basket feebly developed.
Genus: Myxine
Habit and Habitat: They are purely marine, nocturnal and lie buried in the muddy bottom. Sometimes they descend to a depth of 300 fathoms. They are parasitic or quasi parasitic and generally found attached to the body of fishes, especially around the gill area. They bore their way into the host body to eat viscera and muscles.
Characteristics
- The body is soft, without scales, worm-like, measuring about 60 cm in length and differentiated into head, trunk and tail.
- The anterior extremity contains four tentacles supported by skeletal rods.
- The mouth is terminal and surrounded by lips. Buccal funnel and jaws are absent.
Video
The Hagfish Is the Slimy Sea Creature of Your Nightmares. Source: YouTube, Smithsonian Channel
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