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Guinean conger (Paraconger notialis) — Congridae

Guinean conger

Paraconger notialis
Family: Congridae
LC · Least Concern

The Guinean conger (Paraconger notialis) is a saltwater fish of the family Congridae that grows up to 72 cm.

Length
72 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
25.0–50.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Atlantic, off the coast of West Africa.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Guinean conger is a conger eel (Congridae) from the eastern Atlantic, off the coast of West Africa. The species reaches about 72 cm and has an elongate, eel-like body with large eyes and a continuous fin margin. It lives on sandy bottoms of the continental shelf, at depths of about 25 to 50 m. Characteristic is that it burrows tail-first into the bottom and stays there with only the head exposed, ready to seize prey. The diet consists of small fishes and crustaceans. The species is eaten locally.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Guinean conger?

The Guinean conger has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Burrows tail-first into the sand, with only its head visible.

Where does the Guinean conger live?

The Guinean conger lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Eastern Atlantic, off the coast of West Africa.

How big does the Guinean conger get?

The Guinean conger grows to a maximum of about 72 cm. On average the species is around 45 cm.

Is the Guinean conger dangerous to humans?

No, the Guinean conger is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Guinean conger edible?

Yes, the Guinean conger is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Guinean conger verified
Scientific name
Paraconger notialis
Family
Congridae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
25.0 verified
Max depth (m)
50.0 verified
Natural range
Eastern Atlantic, off the coast of West Africa. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small fishes and crustaceans sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Burrows tail-first into the sand, with only its head visible. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly 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
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

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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