Hawaii's Reef Fishes

Conger Eels (Congridae)

Conger cinereus (Ruppell, 1830) Puhi uha

Conger eels have a nearly cylindrical body (becoming compressed posteriorly), well-developed pectoral fins, a moderately large gill opening on lower half of body, the upper end just in front of pectoral-fin base, a complete lateral line with distinct pores, and no scales; the lips have a free margin on the side. Most of the species occur in deep water. Three shallow water Hawaiian representatives are presented here. Congers are often called White Eels in Hawai'i.

Barred Conger Eel

Poeciloconger fasciatus (Gunther, 1871)

Adults whitish with about 12 irregular double dark brown bars on body and numerous small dark brown spots on head; dorsal fin with large dark brown spots and bars; juveniles with fewer bars and spots; caudal fin abbreviated, and terminal caudal region stiff. Reaches at least 2 feet (60 cm).

Known to date from Madagascar, Indonesia, Marshall Islands, Hawai'i, and Tahiti. Lives in sand for which the stiff caudal region is an adaptation, for rapid backward burrowing.

Hawaiian Garden Eel

Gorgasia hawaiiensis (Randall & Chess, 1980) Puhi

Light greenish gray with numerous small brownish yellow spots; body extremely elongate, the depth 64-86 times in length; pectoral fins smaller than eye. Reaches 2 feet (61 cm). Hawaiian Islands. Occurs in colonies in burrows on sand bottom in 35-175 feet (11-53 m). Feeds diurnally on individual animals of the plankton, hence usually found where there is appreciable current.

Mustache Conger

Conger cinereus (Ruppell, 1830) Puhi uha

Brownish grey with a blackish streak below eye parallel to upper lip; prominent black margins on median fins; often a large blackish area on pectoral fins. Reaches 4.5 feet (137 cm). Indo-Pacific; subspecially different in Hawai'i. Nocturnal; displays a strong dark-barred pattern at night. Preys on crustaceans and fishes. More appreciated as a food fish in Hawai'i than moray eels.

All information and pictures in this section are from John E. Randall's Shore Fishes of Hawai'i by permission of the author.