Species: Paraconger similis, Short-tail conger

Paraconger similis (Wade, 1946)

Short-tail conger

Body stout, ~ cylindrical; head large, ~ 16% of TL; tail ~ 57% of TL; snout rounded, tapered; eye large (~ snout length); flanges on lips on sides of both jaws; hollowed out area behind top flange not divided in 2 by vertical partition; front nostril tubular, near tip of snout, points forward & to side, with small pore behind; rear nostril a tube before and slightly below center of eye, with small pore above; mouth large, reaching below posterior part of eye; jaw teeth in 2 irregular rows above, with a squarish patch in center, 1-3 rows at rear of lower jaw; outer row of jaw teeth compressed, tips pointed, in contact at bases, forming cutting edge; dorsal origin over rear 1/3 of pectoral fin; pectoral fin well developed; top of gill opening above top of pectoral fin base; tip of tail stiff, with short tail fin; pores in lateral line before anus 50-51.

(Preserved fish) Dull yellowish olive above, with head and nape darker; lighter on sides; underside of head and belly dark grey; dorsal and anal light yellow-olive; pectorals pale.

Size: 55 cm.

Habitat: sandy bottoms.

Depth: 49-150 m.   

The tip of Baja to the northern Galapagos.