Strickrott'S Hagfish

Slender body than other species, depth 2.9% TL (at pharyngocutaneous duct); paired and median ventral nasal sinus papillae both present, and 10 afferent branchial arterieson the medial ventral aorta; slime pores: 18 prebranchial, 12 branchial, 70 trunk, 19 caudal, total 119; 12 gill pouches and apertures; pharyngocutaneous duct widely separated from the opening of posterior left gill apertures; 3 multicusps in anterior row and 2 in posterior row,total cusps 46; paired dorsal nasal sinus papillae; eyespot absent; body coloration pink.

First record of a myxine record in a hydrothermal vent.

First record of a myxine record in a hydrothermal vent. Fourth record of a myxine species below 2000m (Ref. 74406). Known from one specimen only, the holotype (in 2007). Possibly, individuals filmed at Grommit, Oasis, and Yaquina vent sites pertain to the same species (Ref. 74406).

fisheries: of no interest

Eptatretus strickrotti, commonly known as Strickrott's hagfish, is a hagfish of the genus Eptatretus, found in the depths of the Pacific Ocean south of Easter Island. The hagfish was found in March 2005 by DSV Alvin pilot Bruce Strickrott, and a year later was determined by scientists to be a new species. It is the first hagfish recorded from a hydrothermal vent.