Gnathophis capensis explained

Gnathophis capensis, the Southern Atlantic conger or southern conger,^[1] is an eel in the family Congridae (conger/garden eels).^[2] It was described by Johann Jakob Kaup in 1856, originally under the genus Leptocephalus.^[3] It is a subtropical, marine eel which is known from the southeastern Atlantic Ocean, including from False Bay to Plettenberg Bay, South Africa and also on Tristan da Cunha Island. It is known to dwell at a depth of 100 metres. Males can reach a maximum total length of 37cm (15inches).^[2]

The Southern conger is preyed upon by Chelidonichthys queketti, Helicolenus dactylopterus, and Sphyrna zygaena.^[4] Its own diet consists of benthic crustaceans.^[5]

Notes and References

1. http://fishbase.mnhn.fr/comnames/CommonNamesList.php?ID=15664&GenusName=Gnathophis&SpeciesName=capensis&StockCode=14806 Common names for Gnathophis capensis
2. http://fishbase.mnhn.fr/summary/Gnathophis-capensis.html Gnathophis capensis
3. Kaup, J. J., 1856 [ref. 2573]Catalogue of the apodal fish in the collection of the British Museum. London. 1-163, Pls. 1-19.
4. http://fishbase.mnhn.fr/TrophicEco/PredatorList.php?ID=15664&GenusName=Gnathophis&SpeciesName=capensis Predators of Gnathophis capensis
5. http://fishbase.mnhn.fr/TrophicEco/FoodItemsList.php?vstockcode=14806&genus=Gnathophis&species=capensis Food items reported for Gnathophis capensis