Genus: Rhynchoconger, Whiptail Conger Eel, Conger Eels

RHYNCHOCONGER

CONGER EELS

Elongate; tail much greater than half TL; tail slender, narrowing to a point; snout strongly projecting, with fleshy keel along underside of tip; front nostril tubular, near lower front of snout; rear nostril an oval hole before about mid-eye; top and bottom lips with flanges, larger on lower jaws; teeth small, conical, a patch of teeth under snout outside mouth when closed; patch of several rows of teeth on center front of roof of mouth round to slightly elongate; dorsal fin begins over or a little before pectoral base; pectoral well developed, its base ends above gill opening; dorsal and anal fins continuous with the tail fin; a complete lateral line, pores along upper jaw small.

A circumtropical genus with 6 species; 3 in our area (1 W Atlantic and 2 endemic).