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Black Cusk-eel

Black Cusk-eel

The black cusk-eel is a native bottom-dweller fished commercially and by artisanal fishers along Chile's Pacific coast from the northern border south to Cabo de Hornos.

Caught on rocky shelf and upper slope grounds, it's a staple of Chilean seafood markets under the name congrio negro. Not a true eel, it belongs to the family Ophidiidae and is closely related to the more commercially dominant red cusk-eel (congrio colorado).

Scientific Name: Genypterus maculatus

Also known as Congrio negro, Chacha, Black kingklip

Physical Characteristics:
  • Long, eel-shaped body tapering to a point at the tail; dark brown overall with many large, irregular pale blotches across the head and body.
  • Fins (except the small pelvic threads) are darker than the body; dorsal and anal fins are low and run continuously into the tail.
  • Small eyes relative to head size; large, broad mouth with strong teeth on the jaws and roof of the mouth — built for gripping prey on hard bottom.
  • Reaches about 100 cm (roughly 3 ft), with common catches around 50 cm; smaller on average than the related red cusk-eel, which can exceed 160 cm.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Native to the Southeast Pacific; range runs from Peru south through the full length of Chile's coast to the tip of the continent.
  • Strictly marine — never enters fresh water. Found on rocky shelf and upper slope bottoms, generally between about 50 and 500 meters depth.
  • Most common on rocky reef edges and hard-bottom structure in inshore and offshore shelf waters; associated with reef and soft-bottom transition zones.
  • Documented using deep-sea methane seep habitats off central Chile, suggesting it moves through a wider range of bottom environments than previously understood.

Key Locations

  • Northern Chile coast — the species' range extends from the Peruvian border southward along rocky shelf habitat.
  • Central Chile shelf — documented at methane seep sites roughly 18 km off the central coast, on rocky and biogenic bottom structure.
  • Southern Chile and austral zone — the broader congrio fishery, which includes this species, extends south toward Cabo de Hornos.

Specific Spots

  • Rocky reef edges and hard-bottom structure on the continental shelf — the fish holds tight to relief where it can shelter and intercept prey.
  • Upper slope drop-offs where the shelf breaks into deeper water; this transition zone concentrates both the fish and the invertebrates it feeds on.
  • Tubeworm and biogenic structure fields in deeper shelf areas, where the fish has been documented resting and possibly using cleaning stations.

Black Cusk-eel FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Black Cusk-eel?

Cut fish and squid on bottom rigs are the traditional bait for congrio negro; the fish responds to scent on hard-bottom structure at depth. Whole small fish or large cut baits fished on weighted bottom rigs, the same approach used across Chile's artisanal congrio fishery, account for most catches.

How do you catch Black Cusk-eel?

Artisanal fishers in Chile target congrio negro from small boats using bottom longlines or heavy handlines, fishing cut bait or squid directly on rocky shelf and upper slope grounds. The fish is primarily a commercial and artisanal catch rather than a recreational sport-fishing target.

What do Black Cusk-eel eat?

Feeds on bottom-dwelling invertebrates and smaller fish on rocky and mixed-bottom grounds. Bottom-fished baits, cut fish, squid, and crustaceans, are the standard approach for artisanal fishers targeting congrio negro.

Where do Black Cusk-eel live?

Native to the Southeast Pacific; range runs from Peru south through the full length of Chile's coast to the tip of the continent. Strictly marine, never enters fresh water. Found on rocky shelf and upper slope bottoms, generally between about 50 and 500 meters depth.

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