Home · Eleotridae · Dwarf African sleeper
Dwarf African sleeper (Kribia nana) — Eleotridae

Dwarf African sleeper

Kribia nana
Family: Eleotridae
LC · Least Concern

The Dwarf African sleeper (Kribia nana) is a freshwater fish of the family Eleotridae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
5.8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

Kribia nana is a very small African sleeper goby of the family Eleotridae, occurring in slow-flowing streams and swamps of tropical West and Central Africa. Only a few centimetres long, it has a stocky, brownish body with two dorsal fins and a rounded tail. A bottom dweller, it shelters among water plants and leaf litter and preys on small invertebrates and insect larvae. Owing to its tiny size and secretive habits the species is little studied. It is harmless to people and of no economic importance.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dwarf African sleeper?

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

Where does the Dwarf African sleeper live?

The Dwarf African sleeper lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Dwarf African sleeper get?

The Dwarf African sleeper grows to a maximum of about 6 cm. On average the species is around 3 cm.

Is the Dwarf African sleeper dangerous to humans?

No, the Dwarf African sleeper is harmless to humans.

Is the Dwarf African sleeper edible?

The Dwarf African sleeper is not usually eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Dwerg-slaapgrondel inferred
English name
Dwarf African sleeper inferred
Scientific name
Kribia nana
Family
Eleotridae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.8 verified
Average length (cm)
3.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded sourced
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten inferred
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. 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 Kribia

More from the family Eleotridae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →