Genus: Paraconger, Conger Eels

PARACONGER

CONGER EELS

Body stout, ~cylindrical; tail > 50% TL; snout rounded, tapered; eye large (~snout length); flanges on lips on sides of both jaws; hollow behind top flange not divided; front nostril tubular, near tip of snout, points forward & to side, with small pore behind; rear nostril a hole or tube before and slightly below center of eye, with small pore above; jaw teeth - 2 irregular rows above with a squarish patch in center, 1-2 rows at rear of lower jaw; outer row of jaw teeth compressed, in contact at bases, forming cutting edge; dorsal origin over pectoral fin; pectoral fin well developed, top of gill opening above top of pectoral fin base; dorsal and anal fins continuous with the short tail fin at stiff tip of tail; a complete lateral line.

This tropical to warm temperate genus, with ~ 7 species, occurs in the east and West Atlantic, as well as our region, which contains ~ 3 species.