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Ridged Eel (Neoconger mucronatus) — Moringuidae

Ridged Eel

Neoconger mucronatus
Family: Moringuidae
LC · Least Concern

The Ridged Eel (Neoconger mucronatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Moringuidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
13.0–180.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic; sandy bottoms of offshore banks.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The ridged eel is a worm eel (Moringuidae) from the western Atlantic Ocean. The species has an elongate, thin, worm-like body with small eyes and a pointed head, adapted to a burrowing life. It inhabits sand bottoms of offshore banks, where it buries largely in the sediment. On the bottom it feeds on small invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Ridged Eel?

The Ridged Eel has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Slender, worm-shaped body with small eyes; burrows into sandy bottoms of offshore banks.

Where does the Ridged Eel live?

The Ridged Eel lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Western Atlantic; sandy bottoms of offshore banks.

How big does the Ridged Eel get?

The Ridged Eel grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Ridged Eel dangerous to humans?

No, the Ridged Eel is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Ridged Eel edible?

The Ridged Eel is not usually eaten.

More photos

Ridged Eel (Neoconger mucronatus) — Moringuidae — 2
© President and Fellows of Harvard College (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — MCZ
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Ridged Eel verified
Scientific name
Neoconger mucronatus
Family
Moringuidae
Other names
Ridged eel verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain 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)
13.0 verified
Max depth (m)
180.0 verified
Natural range
Western Atlantic; sandy bottoms of offshore banks. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Slender, worm-shaped body with small eyes; burrows into sandy bottoms of offshore banks. 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

Same genus Neoconger

More from the family Moringuidae

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