Myxinidae

Patagonian hagfish

Myxine affinis

A thin yellow belly band crosses purple brown flanks

• Temperate
• Regional distribution
• Marine fish
• Atlantic Ocean
• South America
• Anguilliform
• Large
• Temperate fish

Myxine affinis, the Patagonian hagfish, is a species of jawless fish in the family Myxinidae. It inhabits relatively shallow waters off the coast of Tierra del Fuego in southernmost Argentina and Chile. Despite its relatively restricted range, it is not thought to be at heavy risk due to a lack of fishing within its range, although crustacean trap fisheries have recently opened in the area.