Cnidoglanis macrocephalus

Estuary cobbler
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Siluriformes
Family:	Plotosidae
Genus:	Cnidoglanis Günther, 1864
Species:	C. macrocephalus
Binomial name
Cnidoglanis macrocephalus (Valenciennes, 1840)
Synonyms
Plotosus macrocephalus Valenciennes, in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1840 Plotosus megastomus Richardson, 1845 Choeroplotosus decemfilis Kner, 1867 Cnidoglanis bostockii Castelnau, 1873 Neoplotosus waterhousii Castelnau, 1875 Ostophycephalus duriceps Ogilby, 1899

Cnidoglanis macrocephalus is a species of catfish (order Siluriformes) of the family Plotosidae, and is the only species of the genus Cnidoglanis.^[1] It is commonly known as the cobbler, estuary cobbler, deteira, estuary catfish, South Australian catfish, or Swan River catfish.^[2][3]

Distribution

The cobbler is found from Kirra, Queensland to Jervis Bay, New South Wales, and Kingston, South Australia to Houtman Abrolhos Islands, Western Australia and Duck River, Tasmania, in near-shore and reef habitats.^[1]

Description

Like other eeltail catfish, the cobbler resembles a catfish in front, but an eel behind. It can grow up to 91.0 centimetres (35.6 in) SL, 2,500 grams (5.5 lb). They may live up to 13 years.^[2] The dorsal and pectoral fins have sharp, venomous spines that can inflict painful wounds.^[2]

Treatment

Treatment of injuries by submersion of the wound in hot water is suggested though the role of heat in denaturation of toxins is debated.^[4]

Ecology

The estuary cobbler is an inshore marine species which lives in shallow bays and sandy inlets near river mouths. and because It is found most frequently every over sand, rocks and weeds in clear to turbid waters. By day, the estuary cobbler are most often found in holes and on ledges in banks.^[2] Estuary cobblers stay in holes and under ledges during the day, then come out at night to feed. They are opportunistic feeders, primarily feed on molluscs (bivalves and gastropods), crustaceans (prawns and amphipods), polychaete worms, algae, and organic debris. Juveniles eat more crustaceans, often from among drifting macrophytic algae, while adults feed mainly on mollusks and polychaetes.^[2] They are prey to birds such as cormorants and pelicans.^[2]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Ferraris, Carl J., Jr. (2007). "Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and catalogue of siluriform primary types" (PDF). Zootaxa 1418: 1–628. http://silurus.acnatsci.org/ACSI/library/biblios/2007_Ferraris_Catfish_Checklist.pdf. Retrieved 2009-06-23. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f} Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2007). "Cnidoglanis macrocephalus" in FishBase. Aug 2007 version.
3. ^ "Estuary Cobbler". Fish.gov.au. http://www.fish.gov.au/fishnames/fishnames.php?pid=1016. Retrieved 2007-08-01. 
4. ^ Muirhead, David (2002). "Applying pain theory in fish spine envenomation.". South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society Journal 32 (3). http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/7691. Retrieved 2011-10-30.