The Muraenesocidae, or pike congers, are a small family of marine eels found worldwide in tropical and subtropical seas.[1] Some species are known to enter brackish water.
Muraenesocidae | |
---|---|
Muraenesox cinereus | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Anguilliformes |
Suborder: | Congroidei |
Family: | Muraenesocidae Bleeker, 1864 |
Genera | |
see text |
Pike congers have cylindrical bodies, scaleless skin, narrow heads with large eyes, and strong teeth. Their dorsal fins start above the well-developed pectoral fins. These rather aggressive fish range from 60 to 250 cm (2.0 to 8.2 ft) in length.
Genera
editAbout 15 known species are recognized in 6 genera:[2]
- Genus Congresox
- Genus Cynoponticus
- Genus Gavialiceps
- Genus Muraenesox
- Genus Oxyconger
- Genus Sauromuraenesox
References
edit- ^ McCosker, John F. (1998). Paxton, J.R.; Eschmeyer, W.N. (eds.). Encyclopedia of Fishes. San Diego: Academic Press. p. 89. ISBN 0-12-547665-5.
- ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Family Muraenesocidae". FishBase. June 2017 version.
- A Dictionary of Zoology 1999, originally published by Oxford University Press 1999.