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Arabian pike eel (Muraenesox cinereus) — Muraenesocidae

Arabian pike eel

Muraenesox cinereus
LC · Least Concern

The Arabian pike eel (Muraenesox cinereus) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Muraenesocidae that grows up to 220 cm.

Length
220 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Depth
0–800.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The daggertooth pike conger is a large conger of the family Muraenesocidae from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 2.2 metres and has a strongly elongate, snake-like body with a large mouth full of dagger-like teeth, to which its name refers. It occurs from the tidal zone into deeper water and inhabits soft bottoms, including estuaries, and tolerates brackish water. As a predator it hunts fishes, crustaceans and squid. The daggertooth pike conger is an important commercial fish in East Asia. With its sharp teeth it can give a nasty bite, so handle a caught specimen with care.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Arabian pike eel?

The Arabian pike eel has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Arabian pike eel live?

The Arabian pike eel lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Arabian pike eel get?

The Arabian pike eel grows to a maximum of about 220 cm. On average the species is around 80 cm.

Is the Arabian pike eel dangerous to humans?

No, the Arabian pike eel is harmless to humans.

Is the Arabian pike eel edible?

Yes, the Arabian pike eel is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Daggertand-zeepaling sourced
English name
Arabian pike eel verified
Scientific name
Muraenesox cinereus
Family
Muraenesocidae
Other names
Conger pike; Dagger tooth pikeconger; Daggertooth pike conger verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
220.0 verified
Average length (cm)
80.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
800.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
15.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Muraenesox

More from the family Muraenesocidae

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