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Blackgut conger (Gnathophis bathytopos) — Congridae

Blackgut conger

Gnathophis bathytopos
Family: Congridae

The Blackgut conger (Gnathophis bathytopos) is a saltwater fish of the family Congridae that grows up to 35 cm.

Length
35 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
180–370 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Cuba, USA

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Description

The blackgut conger is a conger eel (Congridae) of deeper coastal and slope waters of the western Atlantic. The species grows to about 40 cm and has a smooth, eel-like, grey-brown skin with a dark peritoneum, large eyes and a long dorsal fin. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it shelters by day partly buried in the sand and hunts small fish, crustaceans and worms by night. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blackgut conger?

The Blackgut conger has a snake-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Blackgut conger live?

The Blackgut conger lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. North America: Cuba, USA

How big does the Blackgut conger get?

The Blackgut conger grows to a maximum of about 35 cm.

Is the Blackgut conger dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackgut conger is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Blackgut conger (Gnathophis bathytopos) — Congridae — 2
© President and Fellows of Harvard College (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — MCZ

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All data

Identification

English name
Blackgut conger sourced
Scientific name
Gnathophis bathytopos
Family
Congridae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
35 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
180 verified
Max depth (m)
370 verified
Natural range
North America: Cuba, USA sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates
Social behaviour
Solitary
Territorial
No
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.

For anglers

Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Gnathophis

More from the family Congridae

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