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Pacific fat sleeper (Dormitator latifrons) — Eleotridae

Pacific fat sleeper

Dormitator latifrons
Family: Eleotridae
LC · Least Concern

The Pacific fat sleeper (Dormitator latifrons) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Eleotridae that grows up to 41 cm.

Length
41 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Depth
1.0–? m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Pacific fat sleeper is a sleeper goby of the family Eleotridae occurring along the eastern Pacific of Central and South America. The species grows to about 41 cm and has a stocky, brown body with a broad, blunt head. It inhabits estuaries, stagnant ditches and slow-flowing creeks between the sea and lowland and tolerates strongly varying salinities. On sandy and muddy bottoms it ingests much mud and detritus and also filters plankton. The species is eaten locally and kept in aquaculture. It is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pacific fat sleeper?

The Pacific fat sleeper has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Pacific fat sleeper live?

The Pacific fat sleeper lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Pacific fat sleeper get?

The Pacific fat sleeper grows to a maximum of about 41 cm. On average the species is around 25 cm.

Is the Pacific fat sleeper dangerous to humans?

No, the Pacific fat sleeper is harmless to humans.

Is the Pacific fat sleeper edible?

Yes, the Pacific fat sleeper is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Pacifische dikkop-slaapgrondel sourced
English name
Pacific fat sleeper verified
Scientific name
Dormitator latifrons
Family
Eleotridae
Other names
Pacific fat sleeper verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
41.0 verified
Average length (cm)
25.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Dormitator

More from the family Eleotridae

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