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Sleeper goby (Dormitator lebretonis) — Eleotridae

Sleeper goby

Dormitator lebretonis
Family: Eleotridae
LC · Least Concern

The Sleeper goby (Dormitator lebretonis) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Eleotridae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12.4 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

Dormitator lebretonis is a sleeper goby (family Eleotridae) of West Africa. The species reaches about 12 cm and has a stocky, fusiform, brownish body with a blunt head. It inhabits brackish estuaries, creeks, lagoons and mangrove areas and occasionally enters fresh water; the species tolerates a wide range of salinity. Its diet consists of detritus, algae and small invertebrates. Because it eats mosquito larvae the species is sometimes used as a biological control agent. It is harmless to humans and of little commercial value.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sleeper goby?

The Sleeper goby has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Sleeper goby live?

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

How big does the Sleeper goby get?

The Sleeper goby grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Sleeper goby dangerous to humans?

No, the Sleeper goby is harmless to humans.

Is the Sleeper goby edible?

The Sleeper goby is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Afrikaanse slaapgrondel sourced
English name
Sleeper goby verified
Scientific name
Dormitator lebretonis
Family
Eleotridae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.4 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
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
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 Dormitator

More from the family Eleotridae

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