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Sleeper (Gobiomorus maculatus) — Eleotridae

Sleeper

Gobiomorus maculatus
Family: Eleotridae
LC · Least Concern

The Sleeper (Gobiomorus maculatus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Eleotridae that grows up to 27 cm.

Length
27 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The Pacific sleeper is a fish of the family Eleotridae (sleeper gobies) from the eastern Pacific. The species has an elongate, brown spotted body with a large, upturned mouth and reaches about 27 cm. It inhabits rivers, creeks and lakes, from brackish swamps to several hundred metres above sea level. Juveniles are abundant near the coast, suggesting reproduction in marine or brackish water. It is an ambush predator feeding on crustaceans and fishes.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sleeper?

The Sleeper has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Sleeper live?

The Sleeper lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Sleeper get?

The Sleeper grows to a maximum of about 27 cm.

Is the Sleeper dangerous to humans?

No, the Sleeper is harmless to humans.

Is the Sleeper edible?

The Sleeper is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Pacifische slaapgrondel sourced
English name
Sleeper verified
Scientific name
Gobiomorus maculatus
Family
Eleotridae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
27.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely 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 Gobiomorus

More from the family Eleotridae

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