This Slimy Fish Ties Itself in Knots

Hagfish are slimy sea noodles that wear their skin like a pair of loose pajamas... and that isn't the weirdest thing about them.
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Thanks also to the University of Oregon Charleston Marine Life Center for letting us use footage of their hagfish! www.charlestonm...
Host: Sarah Suta (she/her)
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• Pacific Hagfish at Hom...
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• Hag Fish Surround Crab...
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• Octopus vs Hagfish | N...
• Hagfish Ties Itself In...
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[@JustMeJH]

I love that the scientists noted the types of knots the fish could make.

[@syafiqjabar]

It's probably the Scout scientists.

[@kayagorzan]

Lmao yeah

[@NewMessage]

Well... October is a Hag friendly month.

[@raymond4218]

November, on the other hand, is a hard month for creatures that enjoy producing slimy secretions.

[@NewMessage]

@@raymond4218 Subtle... but nice.

[@641mamaluigi]

IDK, I love the hagfish, but then again I tend to be more interested in more weird, wacky, & strange critters and it’s hard to get weirder than an animal with teeth that bite sideways, have a skull but no backbone, and being able to eat with your skin, and to top it all off being able to tie yourself in knots and produce so much slime to choke your enemies is a combination of weird abilities mashed into one critter

[@minnie..9787]

What in the world is wrong whith you

[@ghifariasoka8272]

@@minnie..9787 Hagfishes are cool tbh

[@alexmabey7791]

Who's that Pokemon? It's Hagfish! Hagfish, Hag!

[@ghifariasoka8272]

@@alexmabey7791 A hagfish pokemon would be cool. Maybe a water/ghost type

[@alexmabey7791]

@@ghifariasoka8272 yes!

[@shtj6761]

Hagfish and Lampreys are among our most distant relatives as far as vertebrates go. We're closer to sharks than we are to them. It's amazing what bizarre adaptations can happen on the other side of our family tree.

[@gingermcgingin4106]

They ARE our most distant (extant) vertebrate relatives, since if you go any further back you either get invertebrates or long extinct species.

[@origaminosferatu3357]

Sure, if a hagfish wears skin pijamas it's "an interesting quirk of nature" but if I wear skin pijamas, suddenly I'm a "murderer." Typical. :P

[@marymohr2799]

Mood

[@snowylynx36]

I know right? So unfair.

[@KinDiedYesterday]

Hate when that happen

[@walter1383]

They're harvested by certain indigenous tribes here in Oregon during certain times of the year. The skin also gets used for wallets, any time you see an 'eelskin' wallet it's from hagfish. I've got one myself pretty soft and high quality stuff just don't keep it in the same pocket as your keys!!!

[@Dell-ol6hb]

why not?

[@smirglepapier531]

@@Dell-ol6hb scratches

[@christinatyler3562]

I'm from Oregon as well.

[@jamesdriscoll_tmp1515]

Woof Perhaps you mean lamprey?

[@Timm-TGB]

@@jamesdriscoll_tmp1515 Yes. Lamprey. Not that similar. Lamprey are anadromous and are harvested as the ascend the rivers to spawn.

[@celerystox]

The hagfish pulling itself into its skin pajamas for some reason reminds me of those water worm toys we had as kids (the tube thing).

[@CaptainCorneliusArgo]

Hagfish as a name makes it sound pretty dangerous. As a Dane, I'm used to Slimål, which translates to Slime Eel. Very descriptive and kind of disgusting.

[@knpark2025]

We call them wiggling eel(꼼장어) or blind eel(먹장어). I didn't realize what it was at first but its "skinless" form does look familar.

[@paulkinzer7661]

Right now, I'm envisioning a bizarre beast spectrum. At one end, you have strange, but really cute/adorable. At the other end, you have the hagfish.

[@Ghonosyphlaids]

Ah yes, the axolotl-hag fish continuum

[@livewellwitheds6885]

ever heard of the moray eel?

[@livewellwitheds6885]

also I want to know where the Bobbitt [scale] worm fits here

[@ghifariasoka8272]

@@livewellwitheds6885 past the hagfish

[@waterunderthebridge7950]

Technically, modern taxonomy dictates that every group has to include all groups that evolve from it. As basically all multicellular living beings also produce some kind of secretions, we as humans kinda fit the bill for all those three criteria too

[@brianisme6498]

True. But We’re like the case of birds where they’re technically reptiles because dinosaurs are reptiles and birds are classed as dinosaurs. Instead fish was gotten rid as a single taxonomic group for the specific reason being that since we evolved from them we’d have to be classed as fish as well (because cladistics). So there’s now 3 separate taxonomic groups of fish.

[@موسى_7]

​@@brianisme6498scientists call us lobe finned fish

[@joinmarch76]

It's kinda appropriate that the hagfish is this month's pin; it already looks like something out of a sci-fi horror flick.

[@crocutacrocuta2193]

I REALLY REALLY love hagfishes, they are absurdly cute and quirky creatures.

[@Emelineeeeeee]

I heard in a podcast that a single hagfish can create a HUGE amount of slime. I don't remember how much but it's A LOT

[@Untitled_-_Productions.]

“A motivated one can fill a bathtub in a few minutes” -Casual Geographic

[@gallixypegasuss1546]

As someone who fishes for these, they are indeed slimy Oh, and if you process them just right, you can pull out the entrails along with the skin. And a disturbing fun fact: the squirm around like snakes after death. And if not cleaned up properly, the leftover water from the live tank can end up smelling a lot like eggs.

[@imthescrubjay]

I know way too much about these things, simply because of that one episode of grossology episode in like 2006, and me ,being the weird animal obsessed adhd having 4 year old weirdo I was, going down a rabbit hole about these weird and wonderfully disgusting fish. 😐

[@wedgewizard5429]

In school I studied lampreys which sound like they have a lot of similarities to hagfish. While studying lampreys, hagfish came up a lot. It might be because I was focused on lampreys I never learned that hagfish can digest stuff by burrowing into it and absorbing it through their skin. Disgusting, interesting, horrifying, and fascinating. I was sad to not see hagfish on a whale carcass, tying themselves into knots for leverage. Can you make a video describing the differences between lampreys and hagfish, and show them feeding more?

[@the_soapies]

Okay off topic but what a lovely dress!!!

[@zolacnomiko]

+++ Agreed! Serving looks!!

[@lomaxa99]

I love that pin! That hagfish looks so adorable!

[@beautyforashes2022]

Wow, I never knew that Hagfish absorbed nutrients through their skin, that is wild!

[@ScionStorm1]

Imagine having that ability and then falling into a wedding cake.

[@chickensalad3535]

@@ScionStorm1lmao

[@Lerildeal]

Woah! I had no clue that’s how Hagfish slime worked, no wonder it causes so much trouble. Love the video on some of my favorite weird little ocean guys!

[@karthikharitha5712]

Sarah as always being amazing explaining Hagfish

[@benmcreynolds8581]

These hagfish are legitimately the most alien like Creatures. Every aspect of them, is like no other creature.. it's facinating in a macabre way

[@thatjillgirl]

I feel like you slightly downplayed the slime situation. They can generate up to FIVE GALLONS of slime in one go. It's just wild.

[@AngadSingh-bv7vn]

what an intro to the hagfish! you really got me amazed.

[@finalmage6]

Call me a believer in the parasite avoidance theory, because I can't help but squirm when that slime shows up 🤢

[@zerg539]

Hagfish are the bare minimum when it comes to being Vertebrates and fish, to the point you could probably argue they are neither.

[@hydre39]

Personally i think they look really cool

[@kmart1396]

The way I own that same exact dress, like I can see it hanging in my closet rn for those wondering, its from Hot Topic like 5 years ago

[@9slug9]

Yall this isn't a fish, this is a subnautica leviathan.

[@davidrobles4921]

Another great episode! Hagfish are so cool! Hopeful for a Yapok episode one day! 😄

[@pluspiping]

As I recall from my aquairum-keeping days as a kid, many fish have a thin layer of mucus on them. Helps keep em healthy. Weaponizing it is a fascinating development, though, way to go Hagfish.

[@Cinderpelt1002]

While not visually appealing to humans, hagfish are evolutionarily beautiful.

[@puppettoys4743]

Amazing channel, great job everyone behind the scene, and your voice and tempo everything is beautiful

[@Timm-TGB]

Hagfish are pure nightmare fuel. I'm not in the least bothered by spiders, snakes or insects, but hagfish.... Having no bones, they can get into incredibly small spaces. When shrimp fishing in the San Juan Islands, we used canned catfood for bait. We'd puncture a few holes in the can with a nail and it would usually be good for a few sets of the pot. Occasionally, while emptying and preparing the shrimp pot for another deployment, a hagfish would... ooze... out of a nail hole. A foot-long hagfish went through a 3/16" hole and was entirely inside a tiny catfood can. We quickly found out that a single hagfish could fill a five-gallon bucket with the nastiest slime ever. They don't even move like any natural animal. A few years back, there was a spill of hagfish (because there's a reason to be driving trucks full of hagfish?) on Oregon 101, the coast highway. Not only did it stop traffic for hours, but cars were literally mired in slime.

[@Herowebcomics]

Wow! Those things are slimy yet satisfying!

[@darcyspencer4279]

I've tried hagfish meat before, and I found it rather tasty. The texture is really, really soft and it has a buttery taste. Actually, it tasted very similar to Unagi, but softer.

[@briansquibb999]

You are a terrific host. Thank you for enlightening us about the hagfish ! Ick.

[@Nathanael_Forlorn]

Very cool dress, the presenter is wearing! :) The buttons and necklace suit it so well too. ^^

[@ts4595]

I always thought these guys were disgusting, but the loose cozy pajamas and frantically getting yucky stuff off using fancy knotwork actually makes them seem rather cute!

[@starrywizdom]

One more fun fact -- anything purported to be made of "eel skin" -- wallets, shoes, jackets, etc. -- is actually made from the hide of the Pacific Hagfish. No word on if you can get actual loose pajamas made of hagfish skin, but that would be cool, & also kind of meta!

[@stax6092]

Great episode. I also love the outfit. Hag Fish are cool, I think they just suffer from poor naming.

[@aaronnekrin5150]

I'm in love with this ladys voice!

[@quitlife9279]

They are also one of the few osmoconformer vertebrates, having the same osmotic pressure as the sea water.

[@joe.black-mortem.angelos]

They're wicked. I love them.

[@ratoim]

"Hey Haggy, can you help out on this project?" "I'd love to, but I'm all tied up here."

[@ClownFromTheYear9998]

Bruh why does the thing on the thumbnail look cute

[@zelenpixel]

it really doesnt seem disgusting to me im just thinking that this thing is realy cool

[@randallho3587]

Another weird fact is that they aren't even considered true-fish

[@Jcc8t7]

the thought of a hagfish omelette is a thought i would have rather never had

[@frisbyart]

I had no idea you guys had a pin month! I missed this hagfish pin (my favorite oddball fish), and is there a way I can still grab it?! On the video, I’m so glad I subscribed! I knew a good chunk of the stuff about this amazing animal, but there were a good handful of new things I learned (the whole slime used as egg white replacement).

[@awhaleandadeer8785]

one of my favourite channels, so good!!

[@iainclark8695]

Conger and freshwater eels (I know not related) also have stupendous skin. It's like slippery, rubbery and extra-tough leather. I heard in olden times they used to use it to make door hinges.

[@CamiloSantana]

Great presentation and wonderful speaking voice! I can listen to this content all day.

[@roosterjangles3335]

i love this show so much

[@raylordofkhalah28]

"Why are hagfish gross?" I don't know maybe because they look like massive intestines that move on their own?

[@sagec-r4121]

!!!!! These guys! I love these guys! I didn't know about the mouth thing, cool!

[@bananeboum]

This is my spirit animal

[@DJLucas-xv7oe]

Hagfish are not even vertebrates. And surprisingly, their closest relatives, the lamprey are more closely related to us, than to hagfish.

[@UkAmphibians]

Wow brilliant channel I’ve just subscribed 🐸💚🐸

[@Top_Nep]

if i remember the reason hagfish have to tie and remove its own slime is because as much as the slime can clog predators gills it can also do the same to itself which is why it has to wipe its own body occasionally, might be wrong tho

[@caby202]

Being Wrinkly, producing secretion, and being a fish? I just kept on thinking Frogs....

[@1stDragonlord]

I wasn't sure if I knew the hagfish before, but I'm glad that that weird little thing is a fish I knew as "Inger" before this video The ultimate whale fall disposers is one of the weirdest animals on the planet, even for a bizarre beast

[@charliespinoza1966]

What I’m hearing is hagfish slime merengue

[@cabk.4538]

I love hagfish! Great video

[@augustlizabethmoore]

Hagfish, the nickelodeon gak of the sea

[@sonorasgirl]

Cool! Also kinda gross cause they remind me of leeches, so that sorta is one anecdotal bit towards the gross = parasite comparison. I’m fascinated by parasites though, and same with these little dudes!

[@littleowl22778]

Just got my pin today and it was the rare one and it looks so cool and sparkles!.

[@phobosfinalist]

These fish definitely paid attention in scout lessons.

[@k1dc0re_p3rs0n]

thanks for making this video I only learned a little of hagfish

[@doolie8aardvark321]

“It seems like something from another planet-and a disgusting planet at that.” Welcome to Earth, ma’am, may I show you to you room?

[@Sindmar]

the idea of eating the slime sounds kinda gross, but everything else about the hagfish just seems interesting and cool

[@rickardandersson1887]

Love the outfit. The belt really completes it.

[@MrT_Rex]

At the beginning, I thought it was a worm... HOLY MOLY

[@wezul]

I am told that one of the reasons a bear would beat a gorilla of equal weight is because bear skin is much more loose than primate skin, and so they can shrug off attacks much more effectively. Personally I think the steak-knife-length claws also help. And the fact that as an omnivore, bears "moonlight in murder" (per CGP Grey) whereas gorillas are herbivores after all. I'm not saying *I* would want to get in a gorilla's personal space, but I am also not a bear of equal weight. :D

[@RICDirector]

OMG.....they're Vermicious Knids (Charlie & the Great Glass Elevator)!!

[@RedStinger_0]

that is a spooky fish

[@ExtraOni]

ok ok science yes yes. Someone tell me where she got that dress, I LOVE IT

[@CreatorsToast]

I was thinking of the Blob fish😁

[@vesticiousCowboy9608]

This is one of the many reasons why I'm scared of the ocean

[@Hellheart]

Hagfish and lampreys are tied for the title of second grossest chordates on Earth.

[@markopolo3445]

She is a whip smart Elvira....💕😂💕💕

[@sarahsuta9672]

The highest praise!!!!

[@markopolo3445]

@@sarahsuta9672 By golly yes it was👍I am a fan!!!❤

[@nicholassullivan1239]

There is a short list of creatures that disgut me, and hag fish is definitely right at the top of that list.

[@thisisahumanlol8255]

5:29 AMONG!!!1!1!1! 😳😳😳😳😳😳 Also, the ability to move your flesh away from your skin so only your skin gets eaten sounds cool tbh

[@NiffYT]

US

[@thisisahumanlol8255]

@@NiffYT DING DING DING DING DING

[@wmdkitty]

Hagfish are... [shudders] So. Much. Mucus. [gags]

[@lhadzyan7300]

Hagfish are very special and a evolutive-taxonomic/classification conundrum because they aren´t invertebrates for sure, however to include properly them as vertebrates, actually is pushing a bit wider than it should the criteria for them, so they aren´t actually proper vertebretates neither!!! So they´re in a limbo between true vertebrates and invertebrate-chordates as the amphioxus or the tunicates, basal-relatives of vertebrates yet still invertebrates. Hagfishes are the closest to vertebrates neverthless from those invertebrate chordates, and the more complex-highly evolved but still, being very strict defining by evolution a vertebrate, they AREN´T.

[@evansuperyoshifan3359]

I’m an animal who produces a secretion, unfortunately the secretion I produce is tears

[@li.lacked]

I hope the pins didn’t ruin the lace on that dress 😲

[@coldsobanoodle7407]

Straight out of Steven King's Dreamcatcher

[@Nick-nv5fy]

I was thinking it was a bloodworm yesterday

[@xAIRx666]

First learned about hagfish when I was a kid on a show called grossology where the hagfish we're one of the episodes monster villains

[@thememesterbutdifferentname]

Hagfish be like The Flying Dutchman if he could tie himself into knots

[@thefunydaino3991]

So that's what that old eel like lady from spongebob was Very clever "hag" fish

[@Oler-yx7xj]

Oh yeah, hagfish - the hagfish of fish

[@chrissouthey5748]

As soon as you said that the slime could substitute egg whites, I wanted to try make and/or eat some meringues made from the stuff

[@freedom-in-moonlightlunari8916]

Pretty cool critter also I wonder how the loose skin thing works differently between honey badgers and hagfish?

[@chrisfuller1268]

Aww I missed the hagfish pin!

[@PepsiInc341]

Dang, not me eating a salad during this and relating my ranch with its slime 🥲

[@webbyishere]

Hagfish are so cute to me they're silly little guys

[@Ali-in-Wonderland.]

I had to ask myself if I was a fan of this animal and my only answer is ….I’m “a frayed knot”

[@Dell-ol6hb]

doesn't the skin of a lot of predatory mammals work like that too kinda? Like dogs, wolves and cats have loose skin that helps protect them from damage from attackers since if an attacker bites it they can turn in their skin and bite them back and it's also why wolves/dogs and cats can carry their offspring by the skin on their necks without injuring them. So I don't think the loose skin is too strange among animals