Murène-brochet féroce (Guinean pike conger)
Cynoponticus ferox Costa, 1846
Family Muraenesocidae • the large, fierce conger of river mouths
2 look-alikes to know
| French name | Murène-brochet féroce. Other names: poisson serpent, congre féroce, brochet de mer. |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Cynoponticus ferox Costa, 1846 |
| Family | Family Muraenesocidae |
| English name (FAO) | Murène-brochet féroce (Guinean pike conger) |
| Local names | On Ivorian markets and landing sites: “Poisson serpent” (Ouattara et al., 2016). |
| Habitat | Marine and brackish, demersal over coastal and estuarine soft bottoms. Enters river mouths. |
| IUCN status | NE Not Evaluated / to be checked. A species caught as bycatch, poorly documented. |
Identification
A large eel-like fish with a very elongated, snake-like body, without visible scales, greyish to brownish. Large, deeply cleft mouth armed with powerful, sharp teeth, including strong canines, hence the name fierce. Long continuous dorsal fin extending to the tail. The profile of a formidable predator.
Features that never mislead
Very elongated, snake-like body, without visible scales.
Large mouth with strong, sharp teeth and canines.
Long continuous dorsal fin extending to the tail.
Greyish to brownish coloration, conger-like profile.
Size and weight
A large snake-like fish that can exceed one metre. Precise maximum size to be confirmed on FishBase.
Behaviour and ecology
A demersal predator of coastal and estuarine soft bottoms, often hidden in a hole or in the mud, from which it strikes at fish and crustaceans. Active mainly at night. Tolerates brackish waters.
Present on the West African coast and in the Mediterranean. Caught near Ivorian river mouths. IUCN status to be checked.
Reproduction and season
Marine reproduction, with pelagic leptocephalus larvae typical of eel-like fishes, which drift for a long time before metamorphosis. Local spawning data to be documented.
Fishing practice
Techniques, from most to least effective
By bottom fishing with natural bait (fish, squid) over river-mouth soft bottoms.
With bottom longlines.
Caught in coastal nets and trawls.
The fight: violent and dangerous, the snake-like body coils and the jaws snap. Take the greatest care when bringing it aboard: the teeth inflict serious bites. Cut the leader rather than risk your hand.
Eating quality
Decent white flesh but full of bones, eaten locally in sauce or smoked. Tricky to prepare because of the bones and teeth.
Sources: FishBase (Cynoponticus ferox, Costa 1846); FAO Eastern Central Atlantic; Ouattara et al. 2016; IUCN status to be reconfirmed.