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Unevenjaw conger (Gnathophis heterognathos) — Congridae

Unevenjaw conger

Gnathophis heterognathos
Family: Congridae

The Unevenjaw conger (Gnathophis heterognathos) is a saltwater fish of the family Congridae that grows up to 42 cm.

Length
41.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
183–199 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Japan, Philippines

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Description

The Unevenjaw conger is a conger eel (Congridae) of the continental slope in the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 30 cm and has a slender, eel-like, greyish body with a pointed snout, a large mouth and long, confluent dorsal and anal fins. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller of deeper water it shelters by day in sand or burrows and hunts small fish and crustaceans at night. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Unevenjaw conger?

The Unevenjaw conger has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Unevenjaw conger live?

The Unevenjaw conger lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Japan, Philippines

How big does the Unevenjaw conger get?

The Unevenjaw conger grows to a maximum of about 42 cm.

Is the Unevenjaw conger dangerous to humans?

No, the Unevenjaw 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.

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All data

Identification

English name
Unevenjaw conger sourced
Scientific name
Gnathophis heterognathos
Family
Congridae

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
41.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Rounded

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
183 verified
Max depth (m)
199 verified
Natural range
Asia: Japan, Philippines 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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