© Baker, J.L. (2009) Marine Species of Conservation Concern in South Australia Full citation Baker, J.L. (2009) Marine Species of Conservation Concern in South Australia: Volume 1 - Bony and Cartilaginous Fishes. Report for the South Australian Working Group for Marine Species of Conservation Concern. J. Baker (consultant); Science and Conservation Division, and Coast and Marine Conservation branches of S.A. Department for Environment and Heritage (DEH); Marine and Coastal Community Network of S.A. (MCCN), and Threatened Species Network (TSN). Web version published by Reef Watch, South Australia.

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PLOTOSIDAE: EEL CATFISHES

© John Lewis

Globally, there are around 10 genera and 39 named species in the Plotosidae (Froese and Pauly, 2008). The family has a mainly Indo-West Pacific distribution (e.g. Japan to Australia and Fiji), and members of the Plotosidae are found in marine, brackish and fresh waters (Froese and Pauly, 2008). The eel catfishes are one of the two families of catfishes that occur in Australian waters, and both have marine as well as freshwater representatives in this country (Gomon, in Gomon et al., 1994). Marine members of the Plotosidae have a prominent venomous spine on the leading edge of the dorsal and pectoral fins; a tapering, eel-like body; 5 pairs of barbels around the mouth; and a fleshy dendritic organ behind the anus, which apparently functions as a salt regulatory organ (Gomon, in Gomon et al., 1994). The eel-like catfishes are bottom feeders, and they use their sensory barbels to detect food.   A number of species are highly prized as food fish, and some species are also used in the aquarium trade (Froese and Pauly, 2009). The single species in the Australian endemic genus Cnidoglanis is discussed below.

Associated taxa

Estuary Catfish / Cobbler / Southern Cobbler / Estuary Cobbler

Cnidoglanis macrocephalus (Valenciennes, 1840)