Madeira Canary Islands Azores – Fishes Dr. Peter Wirtz

they sleep in their tubes. At dawn, the first thing they do is to throw out the sand that has fallen into the tube
with a vehement snake-like movement. Photos Peter Wirtz.
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Golden Balearic conger (Ariosoma balearicum)
Up to 50 cm long. Madeira, Canary Islands, Azores. 10 – 700 m depth.
The Golden Balearic conger is, one might say, the small, sand-bottom version of the Conger eel. During the
day, it is buried in the sand; at night it swims over sandy bottom. If frightened, it rapidly buries itself in the
sand, tail first. A few minutes later, it cautiously looks out again. Large photo Artur Silva, small photo Peter
Wirtz.
Bigeye conger (Paraconger macrops)
Up to 50 cm long. Madeira, Azores. 15 – 100 m depth.
At first glance, the Bigeye conger looks very similar to the Golden Balearic conger. But it not only has larger
eyes but also much thicker lips. It is also night active. During the day, only the head can be seen projecting out
of the sand. Photo Peter Wirtz.
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True eels (Anguillidae)
European eel (Anguilla anguilla)