Hagfish vs. Lamprey — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 28, 2023
Hagfish are eel-like marine creatures producing slime, lacking jaws and vertebrae. Lampreys are jawless fish, some parasitic, with rudimentary vertebrae and a circular mouth.
Difference Between Hagfish and Lamprey
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Hagfish are primitive, eel-like marine creatures known for their unique ability to produce copious amounts of slime. They notably lack both jaws and true vertebrae. Lampreys, on the other hand, are jawless fish that possess a funnel-like sucking mouth and rudimentary vertebrae.
In terms of habitat, while both Hagfish and Lampreys can be found in marine environments, many Lampreys also inhabit freshwater environments, especially during certain life stages.
Hagfish primarily feed by burrowing into the carcasses of dead animals, consuming them from the inside. Lampreys exhibit a wider range of feeding habits, with some species being parasitic, attaching to other fish to feed on their blood and bodily fluids.
Both Hagfish and Lampreys belong to the group Agnatha, a subclass of jawless fish. While Hagfish are exclusively marine, some Lampreys migrate between freshwater and marine environments, especially during their breeding cycle.
Anatomically, the mouth structure is a significant difference. Hagfish possess a tentacle-fringed mouth, while Lampreys have a distinctive, circular mouth filled with rows of teeth.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Habitat
Exclusively marine
Marine and freshwater
Feeding Habit
Scavengers of dead animals
Range from parasitic to non-parasitic
Mouth Structure
Tentacle-fringed
Funnel-like, circular with rows of teeth
Breeding Environment
Marine
Freshwater (for many species)
Compare with Definitions
Hagfish
A jawless marine creature known for slime production.
When threatened, the Hagfish secretes a sticky slime.
Lamprey
A jawless fish with a funnel-like mouth.
The Lamprey attached itself to a fish with its suction mouth.
Hagfish
Lacks both jaws and true vertebrae.
The Hagfish's unique anatomy excludes true vertebrae.
Lamprey
Some species are parasitic.
This particular Lamprey feeds on the blood of other fish.
Hagfish
Scavenger feeding on carcasses.
The Hagfish burrowed into the carcass for food.
Lamprey
Has rudimentary vertebrae and rows of teeth.
Lampreys use their rows of teeth to grasp onto hosts.
Hagfish
Belongs to the group Agnatha.
Agnatha includes species like the Hagfish.
Lamprey
Part of the Agnatha group.
Among jawless fish, the Lamprey is a well-studied member.
Hagfish
Possesses a tentacle-fringed mouth.
The mouth of the Hagfish aids in feeding on soft tissues.
Lamprey
Lampreys (sometimes inaccurately called lamprey eels) are an ancient extant lineage of jawless fish of the order Petromyzontiformes , placed in the superclass Cyclostomata. The adult lamprey may be characterized by a toothed, funnel-like sucking mouth.
Hagfish
Hagfish, of the class Myxini (also known as Hyperotreti) and order Myxiniformes , are eel-shaped, slime-producing marine fish (occasionally called slime eels). They are the only known living animals that have a skull but no vertebral column, although hagfish do have rudimentary vertebrae.
Lamprey
An eel-like aquatic jawless vertebrate that has a sucker mouth with horny teeth and a rasping tongue. The adult is often parasitic, attaching itself to other fish and sucking their blood.
Hagfish
Any of various elongated slimy marine fishes of the class Myxini (family Myxinidae), lacking jaws and vertebrae and having a sucking mouth with toothlike rasps, used for feeding on invertebrates and for burrowing into or scavenging other fish.
Lamprey
Any of various elongated freshwater or anadromous fishes of the family Petromyzontidae, having a jawless sucking mouth with rasping teeth and often attaching to and parasitizing other fish.
Hagfish
Any of several primitive eellike fish, of the family Myxinidae, having a sucking mouth with rasping teeth, and sometimes used as food or for eelskin leather.
Lamprey
Any long slender primitive eel-like freshwater and saltwater fish of the order Petromyzontiformes, having a sucking mouth with rasping teeth but no jaw.
Hagfish
See Hag, 4.
Lamprey
An eel-like marsipobranch of the genus Petromyzon, and allied genera; called also lamprey eel and lamper eel. The lampreys have a round, sucking mouth, without jaws, but set with numerous minute teeth, and one to three larger teeth on the palate (see Illust. of Cyclostomi). There are seven small branchial openings on each side.
Hagfish
Eellike cyclostome having a tongue with horny teeth in a round mouth surrounded by eight tentacles; feeds on dead or trapped fishes by boring into their bodies
Lamprey
Primitive eellike freshwater or anadromous cyclostome having round sucking mouth with a rasping tongue
Lamprey
Can inhabit both freshwater and marine environments.
The young Lamprey migrated to the sea before returning to freshwater.
Common Curiosities
Are all Lampreys parasitic?
No, only some species are.
What's the primary diet of a Hagfish?
Dead marine animals.
Which produces a significant amount of slime?
The Hagfish.
What group do both belong to?
Both belong to Agnatha.
Are both Hagfish and Lampreys jawless?
Yes, both are jawless.
Do Lampreys have teeth?
Yes, Lampreys have circular rows of teeth.
Where do Hagfish predominantly live?
In marine environments.
Can Lampreys be found in freshwater?
Yes, many species live in or migrate to freshwater.
Do Hagfish have bones?
No, they lack true vertebrae.
Are Lampreys found globally?
Yes, in various parts of the world.
What's the key difference in their mouths?
Hagfish have tentacle-fringed mouths, Lampreys have a circular, toothed mouth.
How do Hagfish defend themselves?
By secreting slime.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Cricondentherm vs. Cricondenbar
Next Comparison
Boiling vs. CondensationAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
