Family: CONGRIDAE, Conger Eel, Conger Eels, Garden-Eels

FAMILY CONGRIDAE

CONGER EELS, GARDEN-EELS

Congers are medium sized to large eels (up to 2 m); elongate to very elongate, rounded at front, compressed behind; anus on front half of animal; large eyes; front nostril tubular, rear nostril usually on side of head in front of eye; well developed upper and lower lip flanges; small, lateral gill opening; pectoral fin present; origin of the dorsal fin over or slightly behind pectoral; tail fin continuous with the dorsal and anal fins; a complete lateral line; no scales.

The family is divisible into three subfamilies with approximately 29 genera and about 119 species worldwide in tropical to temperate areas, and 17 shallow living members of 8 genera in our region: Congrinae (tail usually > 60% of TL, dorsal and anal rays segmented, well developed pectoral fins); Heterocongrinae, commonly known as garden eels (very elongate, pectoral fins tiny or absent) and Bathymyrinae (tail usually < 60% of TL, dorsal and anal rays unsegmented, pectorals well developed).