Genus: Ariosoma, Conger Eel, Conger Eels
snout: cónical, projecting, ~ large eye
D origin over gill opening
D & A large
D & A large
~ 1/2 TL, tip blunt & stiff, small C
lips with low flanges
pectoral long, base ends above gill opening
ARIOSOMA
CONGER EELS
Body stout; head and trunk ~1/2 TL; snout round, projecting a little, its length ~eye diameter; large eyes; both lips with low flanges; front nostril tubular forward pointing near tip of snout; rear nostril a small oval hole in front of and a little below middle of eye; jaw teeth small, pointed, in bands; upper edge of gill opening at middle of pectoral fin base; dorsal and anal fins continuous with the tail fin; dorsal fin begins ~over pectoral base; pectoral well developed, long, its base ends above gill opening; tip of tail blunt, stiff, with reduced tail fin; a complete lateral line.
The genus is circumtropical, with at least 13 species. The Greater Caribbean contains 3 species, 2 west Atlantic and 1 trans-Atlantic.
