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Slender pike conger (Oxyconger leptognathus) — Muraenesocidae

Slender pike conger

Oxyconger leptognathus

The Slender pike conger (Oxyconger leptognathus) is a saltwater fish of the family Muraenesocidae that grows up to 60 cm.

Length
60 cm
Water
Saltwater
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Australia, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Japan, Korea (South)

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Description

The slender pike conger is a pike conger (Muraenesocidae) from deeper coastal waters of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 50 cm and has a very slender, eel-like, silver-grey body with a pointed head, large eyes and a mouth with sharp teeth. As a bottom-oriented predator of the deep water it hunts small fish and crustaceans. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Slender pike conger?

The Slender pike conger has a snake-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Slender pike conger live?

The Slender pike conger lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Australia, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Japan, Korea (South)

How big does the Slender pike conger get?

The Slender pike conger grows to a maximum of about 60 cm.

Is the Slender pike conger dangerous to humans?

No, the Slender pike 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.

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All data

Identification

English name
Slender pike conger sourced
Scientific name
Oxyconger leptognathus
Family
Muraenesocidae
Other names
Large-eyed pike-eel; Shorttail pike conger; Bigeye pike eel verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
60.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: Australia, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Japan, Korea (South) sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

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 verified
First aid
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. verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Muraenesocidae

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