Genus: Rhynchoconger, 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.

The tropical genus occurs in the Indian Ocean, West Atlantic, Red Sea as well as Eastern Pacific. Six species are known, one of which is endemic to the tropical eastern Pacific.