Genus: Cynoponticus, Pike-Conger Eels

CYNOPONTICUS

PIKE-CONGER EELS

Heavy bodied; head conical; tail ~ 60% of TL; large, skin-covered eyes; front nostril tubular; rear nostril an elliptical hole before mid-eye; large teeth and strong jaws; teeth in multiple rows on jaws, 3 rows on roof of mouth with central row much enlarged, triangular; large teeth at front of lower jaw fit into a notch on underside of snout; gill openings large, crescentic, low on side, nearly meet below; well developed pectorals centered on the upper edge of the gill openings; well developed dorsal and anal fins confluent with tail fin, the dorsal origin over or just before the gill opening; conspicuous lateral line runs the length of the body, opens through systems of multiple pores; no pores apparent on head.

This tropical genus, with 3 species, is found on both sides of the Atlantic and the eastern Pacific, with one species endemic to the latter region.