[2] It was described by Max Poll in 1953, originally under the genus Congermuraena.

[3] It is a marine, deep water-dwelling eel which is known from Gabon to the Congo, in the eastern Atlantic Ocean.

It dwells at a depth range of 250–650 metres.

Males can reach a maximum total length of 42.5 centimetres.

[2] The diet of Japanoconger africanus consists of bony fish, crabs, shrimp and prawns.