Cynoponticus ferox, the Guinean pike conger,[2] is an eel in the family Muraenesocidae (pike congers).[3] It was described by Oronzio Gabriele Costa in 1846.[4] It is a marine, subtropical eel which is known from the eastern Atlantic Ocean, including Gibraltar, the western Mediterranean, and Angola. It dwells at a depth range of 10 to 100 metres (33 to 328 ft); larger individuals are usually found from 75 to 100 metres (246 to 328 ft). It inhabits sand and mud substrates on the continental shelf. Males can reach a maximum total length of 200 centimetres (79 in), but more commonly reach a TL of 150 centimetres (59 in).[3]

Cynoponticus ferox
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Anguilliformes
Family: Muraenesocidae
Genus: Cynoponticus
Species:
C. ferox
Binomial name
Cynoponticus ferox
Costa, 1846
Synonyms[1]
  • Muraenesox ferox (Costa, 1846)
  • Phyllogramma regani Pellegrin, 1934

The Guinean pike conger's diet consists of finfish, mollusks, and shrimp such as Penaeus notialis.[5] It is of commercial use to fisheries.[3]

References edit

  1. ^ Synonyms of Cynoponticus ferox at www.fishbase.org.
  2. ^ Common names of Cynoponticus ferox at www.fishbase.org.
  3. ^ a b c Cynoponticus ferox at www.fishbase.org.
  4. ^ Costa, O. G., 1829-53 [ref. 976] Fauna del regno di Napoli, ossia enumerazione di tutti gli animali che abitano le diverse regioni di questo regno e le acque che le bagnano, etc. Pesci. Fauna del regno di Napoli Part 1: 511 pp. (variously paginated), 60 pls.
  5. ^ Food items reported for Cynoponticus ferox at www.fishbase.org.