The conger eel; -- called also congeree.

large somber-colored scaleless marine eel found in temperate and tropical coastal waters; some used for food

The conger was a system common in bookselling in 18th and early 19th century England, for financing the printing of a book. The term referred to a syndicate of booksellers, mostly in London, who bought shares to finance the book's printing. Each member agreed to take so many copies for sale themselves, and the final profit was split in proportion to the members' initial financial input.