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Freshwater sleeper (Leptophilypnus fluviatilis) — Eleotridae

Freshwater sleeper

Leptophilypnus fluviatilis
Family: Eleotridae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Freshwater sleeper (Leptophilypnus fluviatilis) is a brackish-water fish of the family Eleotridae that grows up to 6 cm.

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

Description

The freshwater sleeper is a small sleeper goby from Central America, in fresh and brackish water along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a stocky, brownish body with a broad head. As a bottom-dweller it stays hidden among plants and bottom material of rivers, estuaries and lagoons and hunts small invertebrates and small fish. The fish is harmless to humans and has not been evaluated by the IUCN (NE).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Freshwater sleeper?

The Freshwater sleeper has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Freshwater sleeper live?

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

How big does the Freshwater sleeper get?

The Freshwater sleeper grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Freshwater sleeper dangerous to humans?

No, the Freshwater sleeper is harmless to humans.

Is the Freshwater sleeper edible?

The Freshwater sleeper is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Rivier-dwergslaapgrondel verified
English name
Freshwater sleeper verified
Scientific name
Leptophilypnus fluviatilis
Family
Eleotridae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

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

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

More from the family Eleotridae

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