Pike Congers
Pike congers are members of the Muraenesocidae family. They are found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans. They inhabit tropical and subtropical coastal waters. The pike congers are known to have well developed teeth, dorsal and pectoral fins. The tip of their lower jaw has enlarged teeth that fit into a notch in the underside of their snout when their mouth closes. They do not have spines, scales and pelvic fin.
Pike congers are nocturnal predators and they feed on a variety of bottom-living fishes and invertebrates. As their teeth are strong, large, prominent and sharp, anglers usually ends up with a broken line when using standard nylon leader.
There are 6 genera and about 15 species of Muraenesocidae worldwide. Malaysia has 2 genera and 4 species.
Pike congers are nocturnal predators and they feed on a variety of bottom-living fishes and invertebrates. As their teeth are strong, large, prominent and sharp, anglers usually ends up with a broken line when using standard nylon leader.
There are 6 genera and about 15 species of Muraenesocidae worldwide. Malaysia has 2 genera and 4 species.
Scientific Name: Congresox talabon (Cuvier, 1829)
English Name: Yellow Pike Conger
French Name: Morénésoce jaune
Chinese Name: 海鳗 (Hǎi mán), 原鹤海鳗 (Yuán hè hǎi mán), 鳗仔 (Mán zǐ)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Malong, Ketingkor, Indung, Malung, Nong, Malong Kuning
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลายอดจากปากสั้น (Plāy xd cāk pāk s̄ận)
Local Hokkien: Mua Hu, Mua Kia
Main Identification Features: Pectoral fins well developed and relatively large, their length about 2.5 to 3 times in length of head. Colour of head and body yellow, tinged with bronze, white below; dorsal and anal fins with narrow, black edges.
Size: Maximum total length 80 cm, commonly to 50 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Coastal waters and estuaries soft bottoms, to 100 m depth. Feeds at night, feeding on benthic fishes and crustaceans.
Remarks: Very large mouth and sharp teeth. Be very careful in handling.
Scientific Name: Congresox talabonoides (Bleeker, 1853)
English Name: Indian Pike Conger
French Name: Morénésoce indien
Chinese Name: 海鳗 (Hǎi mán), 褐海鳗 (Hè hǎi mán), 印度原鹤海鳗 (Yìndù yuán hè hǎi mán)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Malong, Ketingkor, Indung, Malung, Nong, Malong India
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลายอดจากปากยาว (Plāy xd cāk pāk yāw)
Local Hokkien: Mua Hu
Main Identification Features: Pectoral fins relatively small, their length at least 4 times in length of head. Colour of head and body olive to golden-yellow vertical fins with narrow dusky edges. Outer tooth row in lower jaw leaning outward; middle canines on vomer conical (needle-like, not blade-shaped).
Size: Maximum total length 250 cm, commonly to 180 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Coastal waters and estuaries soft bottoms, to 100 m depth. Feeds at night, feeding on benthic fishes and crustaceans.
Remarks: Very large mouth and sharp teeth. Be very careful in handling.
Scientific Name: Muraenesox bagio (Hamilton, 1822)
English Name: Common Pike Conger, Common Pike Eel, Silver Eel
French Name: Morénésoce comun
Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 海鳗 (Hǎi mán), 褐海鳗 (Hè hǎi mán), 百吉海鳗 (Bǎi jí hǎi mán)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Malong, Ketingkor, Indung, Malung, Nong, Malong Biasa
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลายอดจาก (Plāy xd cāk)
Local Hokkien: Mua Hu
Main Identification Features: Muraenesox genus have moderate large body and relatively heavier body than other genera. Head narrower than M. cinereus; interorbital about 10 times in head. Posterior nostrils only slightly nearer to eye than to anterior nostrils; mouth very large; teeth generally large and conspicuous. Dorsal fin originate right above the gill opening. When fresh the body is brownish yellow. Dorsal fin with a dark edge.
Size: Maximum total length 200 cm, commonly to 150 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Coastal waters and estuaries soft bottoms, to 100 m depth. Feeds at night, feeding on benthic fishes and crustaceans.
Remarks: Very large mouth and sharp teeth. Be very careful in handling.
Scientific Name: Muraenesox cinereus (Forsskål, 1775)
English Name: Daggertooth Pike Conger, Darkfin Pike Eel, Silver Conger Eel
French Name: Murénésoce dague
Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 海鳗 (Hǎi mán), 虎鳗 (Hǔ mán), 灰海鳗 (Huī hǎi mán)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Malong, Ketingkor, Indung, Malung, Nong, Malong Perak
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลายอดจากหูยาว (Plāy xd cāk h̄ū yāw)
Local Hokkien: Mua Hu
Main Identification Features: Muraenesox genus have moderate large body and relatively heavier body than other genera. Head broader than M. bagio, interorbital about 8 times in head. Teeth are abundant in number, conical-granular and hidden when mouth is closed. Posterior nostrils much closer to eyes than to anterior nostrils. When fresh it is light gray to light brown. Light brown to red colour on the pectoral fins. Dorsal fin is gray with obvious black edge.
Size: Maximum total length 220 cm, commonly to 80 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Coastal waters and estuaries soft bottoms, to 100 m depth. Feeds at night, feeding on benthic fishes and crustaceans.
Remarks: Very large mouth and sharp teeth. Be very careful in handling.
English Name: Yellow Pike Conger
French Name: Morénésoce jaune
Chinese Name: 海鳗 (Hǎi mán), 原鹤海鳗 (Yuán hè hǎi mán), 鳗仔 (Mán zǐ)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Malong, Ketingkor, Indung, Malung, Nong, Malong Kuning
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลายอดจากปากสั้น (Plāy xd cāk pāk s̄ận)
Local Hokkien: Mua Hu, Mua Kia
Main Identification Features: Pectoral fins well developed and relatively large, their length about 2.5 to 3 times in length of head. Colour of head and body yellow, tinged with bronze, white below; dorsal and anal fins with narrow, black edges.
Size: Maximum total length 80 cm, commonly to 50 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Coastal waters and estuaries soft bottoms, to 100 m depth. Feeds at night, feeding on benthic fishes and crustaceans.
Remarks: Very large mouth and sharp teeth. Be very careful in handling.
Scientific Name: Congresox talabonoides (Bleeker, 1853)
English Name: Indian Pike Conger
French Name: Morénésoce indien
Chinese Name: 海鳗 (Hǎi mán), 褐海鳗 (Hè hǎi mán), 印度原鹤海鳗 (Yìndù yuán hè hǎi mán)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Malong, Ketingkor, Indung, Malung, Nong, Malong India
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลายอดจากปากยาว (Plāy xd cāk pāk yāw)
Local Hokkien: Mua Hu
Main Identification Features: Pectoral fins relatively small, their length at least 4 times in length of head. Colour of head and body olive to golden-yellow vertical fins with narrow dusky edges. Outer tooth row in lower jaw leaning outward; middle canines on vomer conical (needle-like, not blade-shaped).
Size: Maximum total length 250 cm, commonly to 180 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Coastal waters and estuaries soft bottoms, to 100 m depth. Feeds at night, feeding on benthic fishes and crustaceans.
Remarks: Very large mouth and sharp teeth. Be very careful in handling.
Scientific Name: Muraenesox bagio (Hamilton, 1822)
English Name: Common Pike Conger, Common Pike Eel, Silver Eel
French Name: Morénésoce comun
Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 海鳗 (Hǎi mán), 褐海鳗 (Hè hǎi mán), 百吉海鳗 (Bǎi jí hǎi mán)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Malong, Ketingkor, Indung, Malung, Nong, Malong Biasa
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลายอดจาก (Plāy xd cāk)
Local Hokkien: Mua Hu
Main Identification Features: Muraenesox genus have moderate large body and relatively heavier body than other genera. Head narrower than M. cinereus; interorbital about 10 times in head. Posterior nostrils only slightly nearer to eye than to anterior nostrils; mouth very large; teeth generally large and conspicuous. Dorsal fin originate right above the gill opening. When fresh the body is brownish yellow. Dorsal fin with a dark edge.
Size: Maximum total length 200 cm, commonly to 150 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Coastal waters and estuaries soft bottoms, to 100 m depth. Feeds at night, feeding on benthic fishes and crustaceans.
Remarks: Very large mouth and sharp teeth. Be very careful in handling.
Scientific Name: Muraenesox cinereus (Forsskål, 1775)
English Name: Daggertooth Pike Conger, Darkfin Pike Eel, Silver Conger Eel
French Name: Murénésoce dague
Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 海鳗 (Hǎi mán), 虎鳗 (Hǔ mán), 灰海鳗 (Huī hǎi mán)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Malong, Ketingkor, Indung, Malung, Nong, Malong Perak
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลายอดจากหูยาว (Plāy xd cāk h̄ū yāw)
Local Hokkien: Mua Hu
Main Identification Features: Muraenesox genus have moderate large body and relatively heavier body than other genera. Head broader than M. bagio, interorbital about 8 times in head. Teeth are abundant in number, conical-granular and hidden when mouth is closed. Posterior nostrils much closer to eyes than to anterior nostrils. When fresh it is light gray to light brown. Light brown to red colour on the pectoral fins. Dorsal fin is gray with obvious black edge.
Size: Maximum total length 220 cm, commonly to 80 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Coastal waters and estuaries soft bottoms, to 100 m depth. Feeds at night, feeding on benthic fishes and crustaceans.
Remarks: Very large mouth and sharp teeth. Be very careful in handling.
