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Guayan pike-conger (Cynoponticus savanna) — Muraenesocidae

Guayan pike-conger

Cynoponticus savanna

The Guayan pike-conger (Cynoponticus savanna) is a brackish-water fish of the family Muraenesocidae that grows up to 150 cm.

Length
150 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0–100.0 m
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
May bite
Range
North America: Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The guayan pike-conger is a large pike-conger (Muraenesocidae) from coastal and brackish water of the western Atlantic, off northern South America. The species grows to about 1.5 metres and has a robust, snake-shaped, greyish body with a large mouth full of sharp fangs. As a nocturnal bottom predator it shelters in estuaries and coastal water and hunts fish and crustaceans. The sharp teeth can give a deep bite; handle with care.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Guayan pike-conger?

The Guayan pike-conger has a snake-like body and is mainly silver-grey. Can bite with sharp teeth or powerful jaws; handle with care.

Where does the Guayan pike-conger live?

The Guayan pike-conger lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. North America: Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba and others

How big does the Guayan pike-conger get?

The Guayan pike-conger grows to a maximum of about 150 cm. On average the species is around 50 cm.

Is the Guayan pike-conger dangerous to humans?

The Guayan pike-conger can bite, but is otherwise not dangerous to humans. Keep your distance and do not handle the animal by the mouth; the sharp teeth can give a deep bite. For a bite: rinse the wound with clean water, apply firm pressure to stop bleeding and cover with a sterile dressing. Always have a large or deep bite assessed medically and check tetanus status.

Is the Guayan pike-conger edible?

Yes, the Guayan pike-conger is commonly eaten.

More photos

Guayan pike-conger (Cynoponticus savanna) — Muraenesocidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Amir Maniram, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Guayan pike-conger sourced
Scientific name
Cynoponticus savanna
Family
Muraenesocidae
Other names
Guayana pike-conger; Pike; Pike-headed eel; Sapphire Eel; Sapphire eel; Conger verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
100.0 verified
Natural range
North America: Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Can bite with sharp teeth or powerful jaws; handle with care. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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
May bite verified
First aid
Keep your distance and do not handle the animal by the mouth; the sharp teeth can give a deep bite. For a bite: rinse the wound with clean water, apply firm pressure to stop bleeding and cover with a sterile dressing. Always have a large or deep bite assessed medically and check tetanus status. sourced

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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