Conger are supposed to be territorial but.....

The general understanding appears to be that Conger Eels are territorial. I've wondered about this as there seems to be some evidence to indicate that either they are not territorial at all of have very small territories, and that similar size eels will live in close proximity to each other. The first time I began to wonder about this was when I read the following article:

http://www.britishcongerclub.org.uk/FEA ... NOTICE.htm

These guys (Mell Russ was one of them) caught 3 eels, any of which would have broke the Irish record, weighing 80, 90 and 101lbs while anchored on a wreck in one visit.

This defies a comment I say some where, where it was suggested you move to another wreck if you catch a Conger as you won't catch a bigger one at the same location.

While in Lahinch last week I visited the Aquatic centre, they have an aprox 8ft square Conger tank with 3 eels about 10lbs each in it. The tank has some pipes set into the back and sides (Front is the viewing glass) where the eels can take refuge, eash one has it's own pipe so they don't seem to mind being together.

I suspect that congers will get territorial over their hole or cave but don't have a problem if another conger takes up residence in another hole or cave close by. What do you guys think?

From what Jim clohessy has told me, he catches loads of them on the same wreck and finds them pests. I personally have never caught one but would love to. So far they have eluded me along with Spurdogs. They just are not that common around my way it would seem. Congers are very fast growing fish and I have read that they only live for about 7 years. After reaching a certain size they feck off to breed and then die. I would imagine Congers eat anything they can catch and if their is enough food to go around then they will tollerate each other. If there is'nt the will eat each other! 8) it is as simple as that. I could well be wrong though.

If you get a run you should cast in the exact same place as there'll be another one on the prowl. I'd disagree with the idea of once you catch one move on as this has not been my experience. Conger are like buses you wait all day for one and then 3 come at once:lol:

Donagh

There is a small pier we fish(and I mean small) which has only five foot of water at low tide yet on nights we have taken 14 decent eels off it. The ground around it is a mix of sand and kelp and we've often wondered would that many eels(if they are terretorial) live happily alongside each other at the bottom of that wee pier or are other eels roving over the ground and getting attracted to the pier from the scent dispersing over a wider area.

I'd be interested in anybody having experience in taking eels of sandy ground adjacent rough ground at night when they are supposed to roam about a bit. Are they coming on to sand once the sun goes down? I'm getting tiny bootlace conger on the sand at night but not the larger chaps.

Pete

i remember reading somewhere on Mike Thrussell's site that conger eels do roam over sand and mud under the cover of dark. might be worth a look.