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Cape conger (Conger wilsoni) — Congridae

Cape conger

Conger wilsoni
Family: Congridae
LC · Least Concern

The Cape conger (Conger wilsoni) is a brackish-water fish of the family Congridae that grows up to 150 cm.

Length
150 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0.0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Can cause injury
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The eastern conger is a conger eel (Congridae) from the temperate coastal waters of Australia. The species has an elongate, scaleless, eel-like body with continuous dorsal and anal fins merging with the tail. It inhabits coastal waters and estuaries and is demersal on rocky reefs, where by day it shelters in crevices and holes. As a nocturnal bottom predator it hunts fishes and crustaceans. Its flesh is highly esteemed. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Cape conger?

The Cape conger has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Cape conger live?

The Cape conger lives in brackish water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Cape conger get?

The Cape conger grows to a maximum of about 150 cm.

Is the Cape conger dangerous to humans?

The Cape conger can cause injury; handle it with care.

Is the Cape conger edible?

Yes, the Cape conger is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Australische congeraal sourced
English name
Cape conger verified
Scientific name
Conger wilsoni
Family
Congridae
Other names
Cape conger; Common conger; Common conger-eel; Conger eel; Eastern conger verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
150.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Can cause injury sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Conger

More from the family Congridae

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