Common name: European conger

Scientific name: Conger conger (Linnaeus, 1758)
European conger at night in Adriatic Sea near Hvar island, CroatiaEuropean conger underwater hidden in a hole

General information

The European Conger, Conger conger, is a species of conger eel native to the northeastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. This eel is the largest of the conger eels and can reach a significant size, making it an impressive sight in any large marine aquarium. They are known for their elongated bodies, sharp teeth, and excellent hunting skills.

Details

Recommended minimum tank volume
5,000 liter (1,300 gallons)
Salinity
S.G. 1.020 to 1.026
Temperature
10 to 24 °C (50 to 75 °F)
Acidity
pH 7.8 to 8.4
Average size
3 m (10′)
Care level
Very difficult
Diet
Carnivore Feeds on fish and cephalopods
Social
Solo
Reefsafe
No Predatory towards fish/inverts
Aggression
Aggresive Highly territorial and predatory
Captive bred
No

Taxonomy

  1. Kingdom
    Animals
    Animalia
  2. Phylum
    Chordates
    Chordata
  3. Class
    Ray-finned Fishes
    Actinopterygii
  4. Order
    Eels
    Anguilliformes
  5. Family
    Conger eels
    Congridae
  6. Genus
    Conger Eel
    Conger
  7. Species
    European conger
    Conger conger (Linnaeus, 1758)
  8. Synonyms
    Anguilla conger (Linnaeus, 1758)
    Anguilla obtusa Swainson, 1839
    Conger communis Costa, 1844
    Conger niger (Risso, 1810)
    Conger rubescens Ranzani, 1839
    Conger verus Risso, 1827
    Conger vulgaris Yarrell, 1832
    Leptocephalus candidissimus Costa, 1832
    Leptocephalus conger (Linnaeus, 1758)
    Leptocephalus gussoni Cocco, 1829
    Leptocephalus inaequalis Facciolà, 1883
    Leptocephalus lineatus Bonnaterre, 1788
    Leptocephalus morrisii Gmelin, 1789
    Leptocephalus pellucidus (Couch, 1832)
    Leptocephalus spallanzani Risso, 1810
    Leptocephalus stenops Kaup, 1856
    Leptocephalus stenops kaup , 1857
    Leptocephalus vitreus Kölliker, 1853
    Muraena conger Linnaeus, 1758
    Muraena nigra Risso, 1810

Care

Caring for a European Conger in a home aquarium requires a very large tank due to their potential size, often exceeding 2 meters in length. They need plenty of hiding spaces to feel secure and a sandy substrate to mimic their natural environment. Their diet should consist of meaty foods such as fish, squid, and crustaceans. Due to their predatory nature, they are not suitable for a reef tank and should only be kept with other large, non-competitive species.

Reproduction

In the wild, European Congers migrate to deep water to spawn, and the larvae, known as leptocephali, drift with the currents before metamorphosing into glass eels and eventually maturing. Reproduction in captivity is rare and not well documented for this species.

Habitat

European Congers are found in a range of habitats from shallow coastal waters to depths of up to 1000 meters. They prefer rocky outcrops and wrecks where they can find shelter during the day, coming out to hunt at night. Their geographical distribution spans from the coast of Norway, down to West Africa, and into the Mediterranean Sea.