Gnathophis nystromi (known commonly as the conger eel[1]) is an eel in the family Congridae (conger/garden eels).[2] [3] It was described by David Starr Jordan and John Otterbein Snyder in 1901, originally under the genus Leptocephalus.[4] It contains two subspecies, Gnathophis nystromi nystromi, and Gnathophis nystromi ginanago, which was described by Hirotoshi Asano in 1958, originally under the genus Rhynchocymba.[5]
G. nystromi nystromi is a tropical, marine eel which is known from the western Pacific Ocean, including Japan, the South China Sea, and Hawaii. It dwells at a depth range of 250–355 meters, and inhabits reefs. Males can reach a maximum total length of 45cm (18inches), but more commonly reach a TL of 35cm (14inches).[3]
G. nystromi ginanago is a marine, temperate water-dwelling eel which is known from Japan, in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. Males can reach a maximum total length of 40 centimeters.[2]