James Beck, age 11, of Troy, Mo., for his question:

WHAT IS A HAGFISH?

A hagfish is a slimy eel like creature that lives in the sea. Related to the lamprey, it grows to be about three feet in length.

Some hagfish live in muddy bays while others live in deep water.

The hagfish is a strange looking creature. It has a round mouth that is surrounded by eight barbels or tentacles.

The hagfish's tongue has sharp, horny teeth. It uses them to bore into dead or dying fish and eat their flesh.

The hagfish, which is also called a borer, is considered to be a marine pest because of its habit of burrowing into the bodies of other fish.