Eastern Conger, Conger wilsoni (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
Scientific name: Conger wilsoni
Alternative name/s:
Common Conger-eel, Conger Eel, Short-finned Conger Eel, Wilson's Conger Eel
Common Conger-eel, Conger Eel, Short-finned Conger Eel, Wilson's Conger Eel
Similar species:
The species closely resembles the Southern Conger. The position of the dorsal fin origin can be used to distinguish between these species. In the Eastern Conger the dorsal fin starts slightly behind the pectoral fin tip while in the Southern Conger the dorsal fin begins above the tip of the pectoral fin. Other differences include the number of vertebrae, lateral line pores and dorsal fin ray counts.
The species closely resembles the Southern Conger. The position of the dorsal fin origin can be used to distinguish between these species. In the Eastern Conger the dorsal fin starts slightly behind the pectoral fin tip while in the Southern Conger the dorsal fin begins above the tip of the pectoral fin. Other differences include the number of vertebrae, lateral line pores and dorsal fin ray counts.
Click to enlarge image
An Eastern Conger at a depth of 12 m, Fly Point, Port Stephens, New South Wales, April 1999.
Image: Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Conger
- Species
- wilsoni
- Family
- Congridae
- Order
- Anguilliformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum
- Vertebrata
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- It grows to 1.6 m in length.
Introduction
The Eastern Conger is blue-grey to brown-black above and pale below. It occurs in Australian temperate marine waters.
Identification
The Eastern Conger is blue-grey to brown-black above and pale below.
Distribution
The species occurs on the eastern Australian coast from southern Queensland to southern New South Wales, and on the south coast from eastern South Australia to south-western Western Australia.
Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia
References
- Edgar, G.J. 1997. Australian Marine Life: the plants and animals of temperate waters. Reed Books. Pp. 544.
- Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
- Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
