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Genus: Paraconger, Conger Eels


All Families:   All Genera:   All Species:

D origin behind pectoral base
D & A rays not segmented
tail < 60% TL, tip stiff
top lip flange wide
outer teeth form cutting edge
hollow hidden by top lip flange is not divided
pectoral base within limits of gill opening

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.