/plotosidae/cnidoglanis/macrocephalus/1.jpg "Cnidoglanis macrocephalus(1) Underwater - Click to enlarge")
/plotosidae/cnidoglanis/macrocephalus/2.jpg "Cnidoglanis macrocephalus(2) Habitat: Found under ledges during the day - Click to enlarge")
/plotosidae/cnidoglanis/macrocephalus/3.jpg "Cnidoglanis macrocephalus(3) Habitat: Found under ledges during the day - Click to enlarge")
 Cat-eLog Data Sheet | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cnidoglanis macrocephalus (Valenciennes in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1840) |
| Common Name(s) | Cobbler, Estuarine Catfish |
| Type Locality | Timor I., s. Malay Archipelago [probably in error for Tasmania, Australia]. |
| Synonym(s) | Choeroplotosus decemfilis, Choeroplotosus limbatus, Cnidoglanis bostockii, Neoplotosus waterhousii, Ostophycephalus duriceps, Plotosus macrocephalus, Plotosus megastomus |
| Pronunciation | Nee doh glare nees - mak row see fah luss |
| Etymology | The generic name comes from the Greek knide, meaning nettle, and glanis, meaning catfish; in reference to the painful sting the fish is capable of inflicting. The specific epithet comes from the greek makros, meaning long, and cephale, meaning head; in reference to the longer head of this species. |
| Species Information | |
| Size | 910mm (35.8") SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp. |
| Identification | Distinguished by its mottled coloration, 222-234 total median fin rays and molariform teeth. |
| General Remarks | An inshore marine species which lives in shallow bays and sandy inlets near river mouths. Found most frequently over sand, rocks and weeds in clear to turbid waters. By day, cobbler are most often found in holes and on ledges in banks. They are opportunistic feeders, primarily feeding at night. Food consists of bivalve and univalve molluscs, crustaceans (small prawns and amphipods), polychaete worms, algae and organic debris. Juveniles eat more crustacea - often from among drifting macrophytic algae. Adults feed mainly on molluscs and polychaetes. Capable of inflicting painful stings with its spines. |
| Habitat Information | |
| Distribution | Endemic to Australia. Present along both eastern and western Australian coasts, from Kirra in southern Queensland to Jervis Bay in New South Wales, and from Kingston in South Australia to the Houtman Abrolhos in Western Australia. Australia waters (hover or click on these areas to show maps or find other species found there) |
| pH | 8.0 - 8.6 |
| Temperature | 20.0-25.0°C or 68-77°F (Show others within this range) |
| Other Parameters | Needs saltwater. |
| Husbandry Information | |
| Feeding | Juveniles may be fed a variety of foods, but adults may show a strong preference for molluscs. |
| Furniture | A sand/gravel and coral/rock rubble bottom preferred. Make sure that there is enough rockwork for the fish to hide in during the day. |
| Compatibility | Fairly peaceful and compatible with most fish of equal size or larger in a marine setup, although adults appear to be solitary. |
| Breeding | The fish spawn in the austral spring (August-December). Males guard the eggs (a typical spawn consists of 500-3500 eggs) between their pelvic fins for an unknown period in the nest which the male have constructed among seagrass beds and rocks. The drift weeds found in inshore marine waters, protected inshore marine environments and estuaries act as nursery areas. Cobbler enter these areas during their first year of life and often remain there for long periods. |
| Further Information | |
| References | Hist. Nat. Poiss.v. 15 - pp428 - Pl. 449 |
| Registered Keepers | None.  Add this species to your "my cats" page. |
| Breeding Reports | None. |
| More Resources |
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| Hits | 5274 hits. |
| Last Update | -1 Nov 30 00:00 (species record created: 2003 Jun 09 00:00) |
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