Conger eel (Conger oceanicus) There are eight distinct species of Conger found in the Atlantic, but Conger oceanicus is the largest and most common. The Conger has a scaleless skin and its upper jaw extends beyond its lower. Colouring very much depends on the type of seabed it inhabits. On rocks, the back is charcoal grey and the underparts are pale, but over sand the back is a light-grey brown. The margins of the dorsal and anal fins are black. The conger can normally be differentiated from another eel merely by its size. However, small fish can be identified by the dorsal fin beginning at the pectoral fins and running the length of its body. The dorsal fin on a silver eel begins well back from its pectoral fins. A great place to see congers is Conger alley in loch long.

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Picture by Mike Smith