1. A jawless marine fish with a slimy body, found in deep ocean waters, known for producing large amounts of mucus as a defense mechanism.
Usage: Also called slime eel in some regions.; Marine biology term.

Examples

• The hagfish is one of the oldest vertebrates still living today.
• When threatened, a hagfish releases a cloud of slime to escape predators.
• Hagfish are found in the deep ocean, typically at depths of 600 feet or more.
• Scientists study hagfish to understand early vertebrate evolution.
• The hagfish's mucus is so effective that it can clog the gills of attacking sharks.