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Bigmouth sleeper (Gobiomorus dormitor) — Eleotridae

Bigmouth sleeper

Gobiomorus dormitor
Family: Eleotridae
LC · Least Concern

The Bigmouth sleeper (Gobiomorus dormitor) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Eleotridae that grows up to 90 cm.

Length
90 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Crepuscular
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The bigmouth sleeper is a large sleeper goby (family Eleotridae) of fresh and brackish waters in tropical America. The species grows to about 90 cm, has a robust head with a broad mouth and a cylindrical body, and often lies motionless on the bottom of clear, flowing streams, usually near cover. It is an ambush predator feeding on fishes, crayfish and shrimps. Adults often live well inland in fresh water, while the larvae drift down to the sea before migrating back upstream. The species is fished locally and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bigmouth sleeper?

The Bigmouth sleeper has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Bigmouth sleeper live?

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

How big does the Bigmouth sleeper get?

The Bigmouth sleeper grows to a maximum of about 90 cm. On average the species is around 36 cm.

Is the Bigmouth sleeper dangerous to humans?

No, the Bigmouth sleeper is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Grootbekslaper sourced
English name
Bigmouth sleeper verified
Scientific name
Gobiomorus dormitor
Family
Eleotridae
Other names
Bigmouth sleeper; Bigmouth Sleeper verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
90.0 verified
Average length (cm)
36.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Crepuscular inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

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 Gobiomorus

More from the family Eleotridae

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