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Fringe-nosed conger-eel (Gnathophis umbrellabius) — Congridae

Fringe-nosed conger-eel

Gnathophis umbrellabius
Family: Congridae
LC · Least Concern

The Fringe-nosed conger-eel (Gnathophis umbrellabius) is a saltwater fish of the family Congridae that grows up to 45 cm.

Length
45 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
12.0–366.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The fringe-nosed conger is a conger eel from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 45 cm and has an elongate, snake-like body with fringed nostril tubes, from which it takes its name, and large eyes. As a bottom-dweller it lives buried on sandy and muddy bottoms of the continental shelf and hunts small fish and crustaceans at night. The fish is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Fringe-nosed conger-eel?

The Fringe-nosed conger-eel has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Fringe-like nasal tubes and large eyes; buried bottom-dweller

Where does the Fringe-nosed conger-eel live?

The Fringe-nosed conger-eel lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Indo-West Pacific

How big does the Fringe-nosed conger-eel get?

The Fringe-nosed conger-eel grows to a maximum of about 45 cm.

Is the Fringe-nosed conger-eel dangerous to humans?

No, the Fringe-nosed conger-eel is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Fringe-nosed conger-eel edible?

The Fringe-nosed conger-eel is rarely eaten.

More photos

Fringe-nosed conger-eel (Gnathophis umbrellabius) — Congridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Ken Graham, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fringe-nosed conger-eel (Gnathophis umbrellabius) — Congridae — 3
Australian National Fish Collection, CSIRO (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Fringe-nosed conger-eel verified
Scientific name
Gnathophis umbrellabius
Family
Congridae
Other names
Umbrella conger verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
45.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
12.0 verified
Max depth (m)
366.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small fishes and crustaceans inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Burrowing conger eel; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Fringe-like nasal tubes and large eyes; buried bottom-dweller sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Gnathophis

More from the family Congridae

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