112 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. 



is enormous, exceeding 7 millions in certain large European specimens. A con- 

 ger in the Berlin aquarium, weighing 22.5 pounds, had ovaries weighing 8 pounds 

 which contained over 3 millions eggs (estimated). The young pass through a 

 metamorphosis similar to that of the common eel.* 



The conger subsists chiefly on fish, but also takes other animal food. Speci- 

 mens examined at Beaufort in July and August contained fish, shrimp, and a 

 small gastropod. Although an excellent food fish, extensively sought and eaten 

 in Europe and Asia, the conger supports no fishery in the United States and is 

 very sparingly utilized. 



Family OPHICHTHYIDtE. The Snake Eels. 



These are tropical eels whose appearance suggests the serpents, some of the 

 species being marked by bands or spots. The family contains about 100 species 

 and 12 American genera (one local), and may be most readily recognized by the 

 naked tail which projects beyond the dorsal and anal fins, if the latter are present 

 (as in most genera). Body scaleless; tongue more or less closely adherent to floor 

 of mouth; mouth small, moderate, or large; teeth various; anterior nostrils in 

 upper lip and opening downward; gill-openings not united; fins either altogether 

 absent or reduced in size and number. 



Genus BASCANICHTHYS Jordan & Davis. Black-Snake Eels. 



Small or moderate sized American eels, with cylindrical and very elongate 

 body; included lower jaw; long dorsal and anal fins, the former beginning on 

 head; rudimentary or minute pectorals; and small pointed tail destitute of 

 rays. Three species, 2 known from single specimens (Gulf of Mexico and Gulf of 

 California). (Bascanichthys , black-snake fish.) 



99. BASCANICHTHYS SCUTICARIS (Goode & Bean), 

 Black-Snake Eel. 



Sphagehranchiis scuticaris Goode & Bean, Proceedings U. S. National Museum, 1879, 343; Cedar Key. Florida. 

 Bascanichthys scuticaris, Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 378, pi. Ixiii, fig. 165. 



Diagnosis. — Trunk somewhat longer than tail; head contained 22 times in total length, 

 12 times in section anterior to vent; snout contained 5.3 times in head; diameter of eye rather 

 less than .5 length of snout; tip of lower jaw under middle of snout; upper jaw .25 length of 

 head; teeth blunt, in 1 series in jaws, in 2 series on vomer; origin of dorsal fin midway from tip of 

 snout to gill-slit; pectoral fin .5 length of snout; lateral line arched over the opercle, with con- 

 spicuous pores. Color: above dark brown, below lighter, fins pale, (scuticaris, whip-like.) 



The claims of this fish to a place in the North Carolina fauna depend on the 

 taking of one specimen at the Beaufort laboratory in 1906. The habitat of the 

 species has not heretofore been known to extend beyond the west coast of Florida, 

 where it is said to be not rare. 



Nothing has been recorded regarding the habits of the fishes of this genus; 

 it is therefore interesting to note that the Beaufort specimen was dug out of the 



*See "The egg and development of the conger eel," by C. H. Eigenmann, Bulletin U. S. Fish Commission 

 1901, in which eggs of this species found at the surface ofi" the coast of Massachusetts are described and 

 figured. 



