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Bristletooth conger (Xenomystax congroides) — Congridae

Bristletooth conger

Xenomystax congroides
Family: Congridae

The Bristletooth conger (Xenomystax congroides) is a saltwater fish of the family Congridae that grows up to 88 cm.

Length
87.6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
140–825 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Bahamas, USA

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Description

The bristletooth conger is a deep-sea eel (Congridae) of the continental slope in the western Atlantic. The species grows to about 80 cm and has an elongate, grey-brown, eel-like body with a pointed head and jaws bearing fine, bristly teeth. As a bottom-dweller of the deep water it hunts small fish and crustaceans. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bristletooth conger?

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

Where does the Bristletooth conger live?

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

How big does the Bristletooth conger get?

The Bristletooth conger grows to a maximum of about 88 cm.

Is the Bristletooth conger dangerous to humans?

No, the Bristletooth 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

Bristletooth conger (Xenomystax congroides) — Congridae — 2
NOAA (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Bristletooth conger (Xenomystax congroides) — Congridae — 3
© President and Fellows of Harvard College (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — MCZ
Bristletooth conger (Xenomystax congroides) — Congridae — 4
NOAA (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM

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All data

Identification

English name
Bristletooth conger sourced
Scientific name
Xenomystax congroides
Family
Congridae

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
87.6 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)
140 verified
Max depth (m)
825 verified
Natural range
North America: Bahamas, USA sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates
Social behaviour
Solitary
Territorial
No
Activity
Nocturnal
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 Xenomystax

More from the family Congridae

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