Fin's Fish Guide
The Shorttail conger (Rhynchoconger nitens) is a saltwater fish of the family Congridae that grows up to 40 cm.
North America: Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and others
Description
The shorttail conger is a conger eel (Congridae) of the continental slope in the western Atlantic. The species grows to about 50 cm and has a slender, eel-like, silver-grey body with a pointed snout, a large mouth and long, confluent dorsal and anal fins. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller of deeper water it shelters by day in sand or burrows and hunts small fish and crustaceans at night. The fish is harmless to humans.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Shorttail conger?
The Shorttail conger has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.
Where does the Shorttail conger live?
The Shorttail conger lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. North America: Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and others
How big does the Shorttail conger get?
The Shorttail conger grows to a maximum of about 40 cm. On average the species is around 30 cm.
Is the Shorttail conger dangerous to humans?
No, the Shorttail 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.
More photos
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Rhynchoconger
More from the family Congridae
Want the complete picture on the Shorttail conger?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Shorttail conger is one of 12,519 species in the app.