Cnidoglanis macrocephalus • Plotosidae • Cat-eLog

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 (click on these areas to find other species found there) (Click the map-icon to show/hide map of species distribution)
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.
Breeding Reports	None.
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Last Update	-1 Nov 30 00:00 (species record created: 2003 Jun 09 00:00)

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 (click on these areas to find other species found there)

(Click the map-icon to show/hide map of species distribution)

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.

Breeding Reports

None.