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Guiana conger (Paraconger guianensis) — Congridae

Guiana conger

Paraconger guianensis
Family: Congridae

The Guiana conger (Paraconger guianensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Congridae that grows up to 47 cm.

Length
47 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–73.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Brazil, French Guiana

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Description

The Guiana conger is a conger eel (Congridae) from sand and mud bottoms of the western Atlantic around South America. The species grows to about 40 cm and has a smooth, snake-like, grey-brown body without scales with confluent dorsal, tail and anal fins. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it shelters in burrows and crevices by day and hunts small fish, crustaceans and squid at night. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Guiana conger?

The Guiana conger has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Guiana conger live?

The Guiana conger lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. South America: Brazil, French Guiana

How big does the Guiana conger get?

The Guiana conger grows to a maximum of about 47 cm.

Is the Guiana conger dangerous to humans?

No, the Guiana conger 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.

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All data

Identification

English name
Guiana conger sourced
Scientific name
Paraconger guianensis
Family
Congridae

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
47.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
73.0 verified
Natural range
South America: Brazil, French Guiana sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
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

For anglers

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 verified
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 Paraconger

More from the family Congridae

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