[2][1] Distribution, abundance, and natural history are not known.

One was found dead in a net in the Kaituna River (Bay of Plenty), and thought to have been a fishery discard.

The other was collected alive during a trawl at 132-140m in the Canterbury Bight (East coast of South Island).

The larger specimen was 867 mm TL but maximum size is unknown.

One specimen was a female with small eggs similar to those of other hagfish species..[3]