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Common conger-eel (Conger verreauxi) — Congridae

Common conger-eel

Conger verreauxi
Family: Congridae
LC · Least Concern

The Common conger-eel (Conger verreauxi) is a saltwater fish of the family Congridae that grows up to 200 cm.

Length
200 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–45.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The southern conger is a conger eel (Congridae) from the southwestern Pacific. The species has a robust, elongate, scaleless body with a large mouth and a continuous dorsal, tail and anal fin. By day it hides in cracks and holes of rocky coastal reefs; at night it goes hunting. As a predator it takes fishes, crustaceans and squid. With its powerful jaws it can bite hard when handled.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Common conger-eel?

The Common conger-eel has a snake-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Common conger-eel live?

The Common conger-eel lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Common conger-eel get?

The Common conger-eel grows to a maximum of about 200 cm. On average the species is around 125 cm.

Is the Common conger-eel dangerous to humans?

No, the Common conger-eel is harmless to humans.

Is the Common conger-eel edible?

Yes, the Common conger-eel is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zuidelijke kongeraal sourced
English name
Common conger-eel verified
Scientific name
Conger verreauxi
Family
Congridae
Other names
Conger; Conger eel; Short-finned conger-eel; Southern conger verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
200.0 verified
Average length (cm)
125.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
45.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Conger

More from the family Congridae

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