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Headband conger (Diploconger polystigmatus) — Congridae

Headband conger

Diploconger polystigmatus
Family: Congridae
LC · Least Concern

The Headband conger (Diploconger polystigmatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Congridae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
37.0–215.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific, on the continental shelf.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The headband conger is a conger eel (Congridae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species reaches about 30 cm and has an elongate, eel-like body with a continuous dorsal, caudal and anal fin margin. It is a benthic species of the continental shelf, at depths of about 37 to 215 m, and is usually caught by trawl over muddy bottoms. Like other conger eels it hunts small bottom invertebrates and fishes, presumably mainly at night. Owing to its bottom-dwelling habits the species is little noticed and of little fishery value.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Headband conger?

The Headband conger has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Bottom-dwelling conger of muddy bottoms on the continental shelf.

Where does the Headband conger live?

The Headband conger lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Indo-West Pacific, on the continental shelf.

How big does the Headband conger get?

The Headband conger grows to a maximum of about 30 cm. On average the species is around 22 cm.

Is the Headband conger dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Headband conger edible?

The Headband conger is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Headband conger verified
Scientific name
Diploconger polystigmatus
Family
Congridae
Other names
Head-band conger verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 verified
Average length (cm)
22.0 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)
37.0 verified
Max depth (m)
215.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific, on the continental shelf. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small bottom-dwelling invertebrates and small fishes 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
Bottom-dwelling conger of muddy bottoms on the continental shelf. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not 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

More from the family Congridae

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