Eptatretus goliath

Eptatretus goliath
Conservation status
Data Deficient  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Subphylum:	Vertebrata
Infraphylum:	Agnatha
Superclass:	Cyclostomi
Class:	Myxini
Order:	Myxiniformes
Family:	Myxinidae
Genus:	Eptatretus
Species:	E. goliath
Binomial name
Eptatretus goliath Mincarone & Stewart, 2006

Eptatretus goliath, also known as the goliath hagfish, is the largest species of hagfish. It is native to the subtropical coast of the Northern island of New Zealand in marine benthic habitats. It is found at depths of around 811 meters. The scientific name "goliath" comes from the biblical character Goliath of Gath, a large Philistine warrior who was killed by David.

The holotype specimen was an adult female found at a depth of 811 meters at the head of the Hauraki canyon. It measured 1,275 millimeters and had dozens of small eggs attached to the body wall. The holotype had a weight of 6.2 kilograms. This species has 7 pairs of gill pouches, 3 multicusps in the anterior and posterior rows and an eel like body. ^{[2] [3]}

Habitat

It lives in the Southwest Pacific Ocean off the coast of New Zealand, the northernmost part of the Northern island. The holotype was caught off the Hauraki canyon. ^[4]

References

1. Mincarone, M.M. (2011). "Eptatretus goliath". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2011: e.T196023A8994230. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-1.RLTS.T196023A8994230.en . Retrieved 31 October 2024.
2. "Eptatretus goliath summary page". FishBase. Retrieved 2025-06-22.
3. Mincarone, Michael M.; Stewart, Andrew L. (May 2006). "A New Species of Giant Seven-gilled Hagfish (Myxinidae: Eptatretus) From New Zealand". Copeia. 2006 (2): 225–229. doi:10.1643/0045-8511(2006)6[225:ANSOGS]2.0.CO;2.
4. Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Eptatretus goliath". FishBase .