Fin's Fish Guide
The Ash-colored conger eel (Conger cinereus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Congridae that grows up to 140 cm.
Description
The moustache conger is a conger eel of the family Congridae from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 1.4 metres and has an elongate, greyish, scaleless body with a dark margin along the dorsal and anal fins; the name 'moustache' refers to a dark stripe on the upper lip. It is a solitary species that by day shelters in crevices and holes of reef flats and seagrass beds of shallow lagoons and at night ranges to at least 80 metres on outer reefs. As a nocturnal predator it hunts fishes and crustaceans. With its powerful jaws it can give a nasty bite; be careful.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Ash-colored conger eel?
The Ash-colored conger eel has a snake-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Dark stripe on the upper lip and a dark fin margin; nocturnal reef hunter that shelters in crevices.
Where does the Ash-colored conger eel live?
The Ash-colored conger eel lives in brackish water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-Pacific; reef flats, seagrass beds and outer reefs.
How big does the Ash-colored conger eel get?
The Ash-colored conger eel grows to a maximum of about 140 cm. On average the species is around 50 cm.
Is the Ash-colored conger eel dangerous to humans?
No, the Ash-colored conger eel is harmless to humans. Not venomous, but the powerful jaws with sharp teeth can give a nasty bite; never put a hand into crevices and handle a caught specimen with care. Clean any bite wound and seek medical care if it becomes infected.
Is the Ash-colored conger eel edible?
The Ash-colored conger eel is rarely eaten.
More photos
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Conger
More from the family Congridae
Want the complete picture on the Ash-colored conger eel?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Ash-colored conger eel is one of 12,519 species in the app.