Swollen-headed conger eel

Taxobox
name = Swollen-headed conger eel


image_caption = Drawing by Dr Tony Ayling
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Actinopterygii
ordo = Anguilliformes
familia = Congridae
genus = "Bassanago"
species = "B. bulbiceps"
range_

range_map_caption=
binomial = "Bassanago bulbiceps"
binomial_authority = Whitley, 1948

The swollen-headed conger eel, "Bassanago bulbiceps", is a conger of the family "Congridae", found on the soft bottom of the continental slopes around southern Australia and New Zealand. Its length is between 40 and 60 cm.

As its common name implies, the swollen-headed conger eel's head is swollen, especially when viewed from above, and this is the main distinguishing feature of this species. The origin of the dorsal fin is directly above the base of the pectoral fin. The lateral line pores are located on the end of short tubes.

They are pale grey-brown tinged with pink, and speckled with brown above.

References

*
*
* Tony Ayling & Geoffrey Cox, "Collins Guide to the Sea Fishes of New Zealand", (William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1982) ISBN 0-00-216987-8