Fin's Fish Guide
The Thinlip conger (Gnathophis mystax) is a saltwater fish of the family Congridae that grows up to 60 cm.
Eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea, on sandy and silty bottoms of the continental shelf and the slope.
Description
The thinlip conger is a small, slender conger eel of the family Congridae reaching about 60 cm. The round, grey-brown body has large eyes, thin lips and a continuous fin fringe in which the dorsal, tail and anal fins merge. The species lives on sand and mud bottoms of the continental shelf and slope of the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean, usually between tens and eight hundred metres. By day it buries itself in the soft bottom; at night it emerges to hunt small crustaceans, worms and small fish. Like other eels it develops through a transparent, leaf-shaped leptocephalus larva. Because of its small size it has no fishery importance.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Thinlip conger?
The Thinlip conger has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Small, slender conger eel with large eyes and a continuous fin fringe; burrows into soft bottoms.
Where does the Thinlip conger live?
The Thinlip conger lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea, on sandy and silty bottoms of the continental shelf and the slope.
How big does the Thinlip conger get?
The Thinlip conger grows to a maximum of about 60 cm. On average the species is around 35 cm.
Is the Thinlip conger dangerous to humans?
No, the Thinlip conger is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Thinlip conger edible?
The Thinlip conger is not usually eaten.
Easily confused with
These species look like the Thinlip conger and live in the same waters.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Gnathophis
More from the family Congridae
Want the complete picture on the Thinlip conger?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Thinlip conger is one of 12,519 species in the app.