Species · GBIF taxon 2403490
European Conger
Conger congerAlso known as Conger Eel, Atlantic Conger
The European conger is a massive, scaleless marine predator that reigns as the heaviest eel in the world, lurking in rocky crevices and shipwrecks by day. Under the cover of darkness, these powerful hunters emerge to stalk the seafloor, using their keen sense of smell to locate prey. They lead a solitary life for up to two decades before embarking on a final, epic migration to deep Atlantic waters where they spawn once and die.
NocturnalMarinePredatory
Licensed referenceMatthieu Sontag / CC BY 3.0 · CC BY 3.0
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Octopuses
- Crabs
- Atlantic Cod
Predators
- Large Sharks
- Marine Mammals
- Larger Conger Eels
ThreatsCommercial overfishing, benthic trawling, and marine pollution
HabitatsRocky reefs, shipwrecks, stone ruins, and deep-sea benthic zones
Life span15 to 20 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyCongridae
- SpeciesConger conger
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Capable of delivering a powerful, crushing bite; avoid handling or cornering them in underwater crevices.
- Why it is dangerous
- Possesses exceptionally strong jaws and backward-pointing teeth that can inflict deep, easily infected lacerations.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for a thick, scaleless grey-black body, a long dorsal fin starting near the pectoral fins, and a wide mouth stretching past the eyes.
- What to do
- Never reach into dark rocky crevices or attempt to handle caught individuals; back away slowly if one approaches.
Responsible observation
- Keep Distance: Maintain a respectful distance when diving near shipwrecks or rocky reefs where they shelter.
- Avoid Feeding: Do not offer food, as this can encourage aggressive behavior and accidental bites.
- Use Red Light: Observe them at night using red-filtered dive lights to avoid startling them.
Ecological Competitor Close Relative 
Distant Relative Bernard Dupont / CC BY-SA 2.0 · CC BY-SA 2.0
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