Hag fishes are exclusively marine and primarily

Options

A. predators
B. parasites
C. herbivorous
D. scavengers

Answer

To answer the question regarding hagfishes and their feeding habits, we can break down the information as follows:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Classification of Hagfishes**:
- Hagfishes belong to the **kingdom Animalia**.
- They are classified under the **phylum Chordata** due to the presence of a notochord.

2. **Subphylum and Vertebrates**:
- Within the phylum Chordata, hagfishes fall under the **subphylum Vertebrata** because they possess a vertebral column (backbone), which is a modification of the notochord.

3. **Agnatha Classification**:
- The vertebrates are further divided, and hagfishes belong to the class **Agnatha**, which includes jawless fishes.

4. **Characteristics of Hagfishes**:
- Hagfishes are characterized by their **cartilaginous cranium** and lack of jaws. Instead of jaws, they have a **sucker mouth** that allows them to feed.

5. **Feeding Habits**:
- Hagfishes are known to feed by sucking the blood and bodily fluids from their hosts, which classifies them as **parasites**. They do not have teeth but use their sucker mouth to latch onto their prey.

6. **Habitat**:
- Hagfishes are **exclusively marine**, meaning they are found in saltwater environments.

### Final Answer:
Hagfishes are primarily **parasites**.

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