Cobbler have long thin bodies with three poisonous spines around their heads. Sometimes people accidentally step on them and get a painful sting as the cobbler defends itself.

Cobbler are able to breed when they are about three years old. At this time they measure close to 400mm. Cobbler only produce a small amount of eggs once a year, about 500 - 3 500 which is not a lot compared to other types of fish who may produce over 200 000.

Unlike many fish, cobblers mate in pairs and care for their eggs. They build burrows to hide their eggs, usually under seagrass or rocks. The male cobbler stays close to the nest to look after the eggs and rear the young.

Cobbler have genetically different stocks in the ocean and estuaries. The problem of genetically different stocks is that they may mix but they won’t interbreed. This means that each genetically different population needs to be protected in its own habitat, or it can be wiped out.

Scientific and other names
Cobbler (Cnidoglanis macrocephalus) are also known as estuary catfish.

What they look like
Cobbler have long bodies that are usually brown in colour. The colouring helps them to camouflage in the sandy bottom of estuaries where they like to live. Their only form of defence are the spines on their head and fins which are poisonous to humans and other animals.

Where they live
Cobbler like the bottom areas of estuaries where they like to hide in seaweed and rocks. The seaweed provides cover for their nesting burrows.

They can be found in estuaries from Geraldton and around the southern coast.