Congriscus megastomus

Description

Congriscus megastomus is an eel in the family Congridae (conger/garden eels). It was described by Albert Günther in 1877, originally under the genus Congromuraena. It is a marine, temperate-water dwelling eel which is known from Japan and the Kyushu-Palau Ridge, in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. It inhabits reefs. Males can reach a maximum total length of 40 centimetres. Their remarkably large and distinct leptocephalus larvae were previously known under the name Thalassenchelys coheni. In 2016, scientists used genetic techniques to link the larvae to the adult C. megastomus. These larvae reach a maximum size of 30 cm (11.8 in) and have a number of unusual characteristics, two front teeth that may be used for feeding on different prey than smaller eel larvae. Congriscus megastomus is preyed on by Chlorophthalmus albatrossis. Its own diet includes finfish such as Diaphus coeruleus, Diaphus sagamiensis, Hymenocephalus lethonemus, Synagrops japonicus, and species of Macrura, as well as euphausiid plankton crustaceans and polychaetes.