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Conehead eel (Cynoponticus coniceps) — Muraenesocidae

Conehead eel

Cynoponticus coniceps

The Conehead eel (Cynoponticus coniceps) is a saltwater fish of the family Muraenesocidae that grows up to 202 cm.

Length
202 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10.0–100.0 m
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
May bite
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The conehead eel is a large pike-conger (Muraenesocidae) from coastal waters of the eastern Pacific, off Central and South America. The species grows to about 2 metres and has a robust, snake-shaped, greyish body with a pointed, cone-shaped head and a large mouth full of sharp teeth. As a nocturnal bottom predator it burrows into sand and mud bottoms and seizes fish and crustaceans. The sharp teeth can give a deep bite; handle with care.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Conehead eel?

The Conehead eel has a snake-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Conehead eel live?

The Conehead eel lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Conehead eel get?

The Conehead eel grows to a maximum of about 202 cm.

Is the Conehead eel dangerous to humans?

The Conehead eel can bite, but is otherwise not dangerous to humans.

Is the Conehead eel edible?

Yes, the Conehead eel is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kegelkop-snoekpaling sourced
English name
Conehead eel sourced
Scientific name
Cynoponticus coniceps
Family
Muraenesocidae
Other names
Red pike conger; Red pike-conger verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
202.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
100.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
May bite verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Cynoponticus

More from the family Muraenesocidae

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