Biology of the conger eel Conger oceanicus in the Mid-Atlantic Bight (original) (raw)

Abstract

In the Mid-Atlantic Bight, conger eels (Conger oceanicus) occur from the coastal portions of estuaries to the edge of the continental shelf. In deeper waters they occupy burrows of the tilefish (Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps). Between 1972 and 1974 we examined the stomachs and intestines of conger eels from inshore New Jersey (USA) waters (_n_=35, with a total length: TL of 21 to 49 cm) and between 1980 and 1983 offshore (_n_=295, 50 to 125 cm TL)_collections. Eels from both areas fed primarily on decapod crustaceans and fish. The specific identity of prey items within these groups generally differed from inshore to offshore areas, probably reflecting the differences in prey availability. Foods of specimens collected offshore varied with size: smaller eels (<80 cm TL) fed most heavily on decapod crustaceans, whereas larger eels (>80 cm) consumed more fishes. The presence of some nocturnally active prey items in the gut, primarily the eel Lepophidium cervinum, suggests that conger eels are nocturnal feeders. This is supported by in situ observations that conger eels are present in some tilefish burrows during the day and are presumably out of burrows and foraging at night.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

• Starting from 10 chapters or articles per month
• Access and download chapters and articles from more than 300k books and 2,500 journals
• Cancel anytime View plans

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature cited

• Able, K. W., Grimes, C. B., Cooper, R. A., Uzmann, J. R. (1982). Burrow construction and behavior of tilefish, Lophalatilus chamaeleonticeps, in Hudson Submarine Canyon. Env. Biol. Fish. 7: 199–205
  Google Scholar
• Bigelow, H. B., Schroeder, W. C. (1953). Fishes of the Gulf of Maine. U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv., Fish. Bull. U.S. 52: 1–577
  Google Scholar
• Cau, A., Manconi, P. (1984). Relationship of feeding, reproductive cycle and bathymetric distribution in Conger conger. Mar. Biol. 81: 147–151
  Google Scholar
• Crow, M. E. (1982). Some statistical techniques for analyzing the stomach contents of fish. p 8–15, In: Caillet, G. M., Simenstad, C. A. (eds.) Fish Food Habit Studies, Proc. Third Pacific Workshop. Univ. Washington Sea Grant, USG-WO 82-2
• Grimes, C. B., Able, K. W., Jones, R. S. (1986). Tilefish, Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps, habitat, behavior, and community stucture in middle Atlantic and southern New England waters. Env. Biol. Fish. 15: 273–292
  Google Scholar
• Grimes, C. B., Able, K. W., Turner, S. C. (1980). A preliminary analysis of the tilefish, Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps, fishery in the Mid-Atlantic Bight. Mar. Fish. Rev. 42: 13–18
  Google Scholar
• Haedrich, R. (1975). Zonation and faunal composition of epibenthic populations on the continental slope south of New England. J. Mar. Res. 33: 191–211
  Google Scholar
• Hood, P. B., Able, K. W., Grimes, C. B. (1988). Biology of the conger eel Conger oceanicus in the Mid-Atlantic Bight I. Distribution, age, growth and reproduction. Mar. Biol. (In press)
• Kanazawa, R. H. (1958). A revision of the eels of the genus Conger with descriptions of four new species. Proc. U.S. natn. Mus. 108: 219–262
  Google Scholar
• Maurer, R. O. Jr., Bowman, R. E. (1975). Food habits of marine fishes of the northwest Atlantic. NOAA Tech. Data Repts. National Marine Fisheries Service, Northeast Fisheries Center, Woods Hole, Massachusetts
  Google Scholar
• Pinkas, L., Oliphant, M. S., Iverson, I. L. K. (1977). Food habits of albacore, bluefin tuna, and bonito in California waters. Calif. Fish Game Fish. Bull. 152: 1–105
  Google Scholar
• Valentine, P. C., Uzmann, J. R., Cooper, R. A. (1980). Geology and biology of Oceanographer Submarine Canyon. Mar. Geol. 38: 283–312
  Google Scholar

Download references

Author information

Author notes

1. K. W. Able
   Present address: Marine Field Station, Rutgers University, 08087, Tuckerton, New Jersey, USA

Authors and Affiliations

1. Fred C. Hart Associates Inc., 530 5th Ave., 10036, New York, New York, USA
   A. Levy
2. Biological Sciences and Center for Coastal and Environmental Studies, Rutgers University, 08903, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
   K. W. Able
3. National Marine Fisheries Service, 3500 Delwood Beach Road, Panama City, Florida, USA
   C. B. Grimes
4. Harbor Branch Foundation, RR1, Box 196, 33450, Ft. Pierce, Florida, USA
   P. Hood

Authors

1. A. Levy
2. K. W. Able
3. C. B. Grimes
4. P. Hood

Additional information

Communicated by J. Grassle, Woods Hole

Rights and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Levy, A., Able, K.W., Grimes, C.B. et al. Biology of the conger eel Conger oceanicus in the Mid-Atlantic Bight.Marine Biology 98, 597–600 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00391550

Download citation

• Accepted: 26 February 1988
• Issue date: July 1988
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00391550

Keywords