sixgill

Sixgill is a genus of ray-finned fish belonging to the family Hexagrammidae. The genus is native to the North Pacific Ocean, with species found in the waters off the coasts of Japan, Korea, and Russia. Sixgill species are known for their distinctive six gill rakers, which are used for filtering food particles from the water. They are small to medium-sized fish, typically ranging from 10 to 30 centimeters in length.

The genus includes several species, with the most well-known being the sixgill shark, Hexagrammos otakii. This species is of particular interest to scientists due to its unique reproductive strategy. The sixgill shark is a sequential hermaphrodite, meaning that individuals can change sex from female to male during their lifetime. This behavior is thought to be a strategy for ensuring the survival of the species, as it allows for the production of more offspring.

Sixgill species are generally considered to be of low commercial value, although they are sometimes caught as bycatch in fisheries. Conservation efforts are currently focused on protecting the habitats of these fish, as well as monitoring their populations to ensure their long-term survival.