SOLITARY ISLANDS
UNDERWATER
RESEARCH GROUP, INC.

Species Index

Cnidoglanis macrocephalus
(Valenciennes, 1840)

Common Name: Estuary Catfish

Distribution: Common in the Solitary Islands Marine Park. Endemic to Australia: widespread southern waters from Southern Queensland to Abrolhos Islands in Western Australia. Rare in Victorian and Tasmanian waters.

Ecological Notes: An inshore species that prefers silty areas or mud bottoms, under ledges, in caves, under solid objects. Depth to 30 m.

Additional Notes: Mottled brown or yellow with eel tail, has five pairs of barbels surrounding the mouth. Also possesses strong, sharp fin spines which can inflict painful wounds. Males construct a nest and guard the eggs until hatching takes place. Feeds on various invertebrates or small fishes, grows to about 90 cms.

References: R. Stuart-Smith, G. Edgar, A. Green, I. Shaw, Tropical Marine Fishes of Australia. Reed New Holland Publishers, 2015. p.45.

FishBase. Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2018. World Wide Web electronic publication. http://www.fishbase.ca/summary/12092. Accessed 15/05/18.