Whitespotted conger
| Whitespotted conger | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Anguilliformes |
| Family: | Congridae |
| Genus: | Conger |
| Species: | C. myriaster
|
| Binomial name | |
| Conger myriaster | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
The whitespotted conger (Conger myriaster) (Japanese: 真穴子; ma-anago) is a marine conger eel, widespread in the northwest Pacific Ocean off the coasts of Japan, North Korea, South Korea, China, Taiwan, and the Philippines. It is a commercially important species.
Taxonomy
[edit]The whitespotted conger was first described by James Carson Brevoort in 1856. It is classified in the Congridae family (conger and garden eels) in the class Actinopterygii. It has been referred to by the synonyms Anguilla myriaster and Astroconger myriaster.[2]
Distribution
[edit]This species occurs in the northwest Pacific Ocean, Sea of Japan, and East China Sea. It is found off the coasts of Japan, North Korea, South Korea, China, Taiwan, and the Philippines.[1][3]
Description
[edit]The whitespotted conger grows up to 100 centimetres in total length and lives for as long as eight[3] to 12 years.[1] Its body is covered in white spots.[3]
Ecology
[edit]A benthic, demersal fish species, the whitespotted conger occurs at depths of 320–830 metres. It prefers sandy and muddy substrates. It preys on crustaceans.[1]
The whitespotted conger reaches sexual maturity at eight years of age. It spawns from April to July, and the species is believed to have a single spawning ground; the larvae would be spread by ocean currents.[1]
This species is commercially fished via lines, nets, and traps. Annual catches have reached 10,000 metric tons in both Japan and South Korea, and the fish is farmed in Japan as well. It is also taken for the aquarium trade. Despite this, it is assessed as a least concern species on the IUCN Red List due to its abundance.[1]
References
[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f McCosker, J.; Smith, D.G.; Tighe, K. (2019). "Conger myriaster". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T199034A2552131. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T199034A2552131.en. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
- ^ a b c "Conger myriaster (Brevoort, 1856)". IRMNG. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
- ^ a b c "Conger myriaster, Whitespotted conger". FishBase. Retrieved 16 July 2025.