Longfin African conger
The Longfin African Conger is an eel of the family Congridae known by several common names, including the blacklip conger, moustache conger, and ashen conger. Its range covers much of the Indo-West Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa, to the Marquesas and Easter Islands. It is generally found in shallow coastal and reef habitats, and is known for its nocturnal, often reclusive behavior. The population found in Hawai'i was originally classified as a subspecies, but was later considered its own species.
Description
Conger cinereus has a slender, elongated body, with larger individuals reaching about in length. Its coloration is gray-brown in daylight, but has been reported to show blue-gray bands at night, which is thought to aid in camouflage. A dark line below the eye that extends across the upper lip gives rise to the common name "moustache conger".Distribution and habitat
Conger cinereus occurs across much of the Indo-West Pacific. Its range extends from the Red Sea and eastern African region, including Madagascar, the Seychelles, and Tanzania, to the Marquesas and Easter Islands. Reports place the northern edge of its range around southern Japan and the Ogasawara Islands, with its southern limit being recorded around northern Australia and Lord Howe Island.It is found in various coastal habitats, including reefs, seagrass beds, and sandy bottoms, and is usually found between deep, with occasional records from greater depths. It has also been documented in brackish waters, and frequently occupies neritic and subtidal zones near reefs.