FAO
family account and key to WA Eleotridae
by E.O. Murdy and D.F. Hoese
sleepers
Diagnostic characters: Typically small to medium‑sized (most do not
exceed 20 cm, although Gobiomorus from this area may reach 60 cm),
bottom-dwelling fishes. Many are relatively inactive, hence, the common name
of sleeper. Six branchiostegal rays; pelvic fins separate and not connected
by membrane. Typically, body stout; head short and broad; snout
blunt; gill membranes broadly joined to isthmus; scales small or large and
either cycloid or ctenoid; two separate dorsal fins,
first dorsal fin with 6‑7 weak spines, second dorsal fin with one weak
spine followed by 6‑12 soft rays; caudal fin broad and rounded,
comprising 15 or 17 segmented rays; anal fin with one weak spine followed by 6‑12
soft rays; pelvic fin long with one spine and five rays; pectoral fin broad
with 14‑25 rays. The second dorsal fin and the anal fin relatively short‑based;
origin of anal fin just posterior to a vertical with origin of second dorsal fin;
terminal ray of second-dorsal and anal fins divided to its base (but counted as
a single element.) Head typically scaled, scales being either cycloid or ctenoid. Head with a series of
sensory canals and pores as well as cutaneous
papillae. No lateral line on body. Teeth usually small, conical and in several rows in jaws.
Colour: not brightly colored, most are light or dark brown
or olive with some metallic glints.
Habitat, biology, and
fisheries:
Sleepers typically occur in fresh or brackish waters, although some species are
truly marine. Sleepers are omnivorous. Found in all
subtropical and tropical waters (except the
Similar families occurring
in the area:
Gobiidae:
base of second dorsal much longer than distance from end of second dorsal fin
to base of caudal fin; pelvic fins connected to form a disc in species from
fresh and brackish water, separated only in species living on or around
reefs. Size small;
adults typically less than 10 cm in length.
KEY
TO THE ELEOTRIDAE IN THE
*
Exclusive of the dwarf freshwater genera Microphilypnus and Leptophilypnus
1a.
Prominent, ventrally pointed spine on preopercle
present, this spine may be
difficult to see as it is is often covered by skin.........................................................2
1b.
Preopercular spine absent.................................................................................3
2a.
Scales cycloid and smooth, about 90 longitudinal rows; caudal fin extending
anteriorly onto body; body very slender, elongate,
and terete, the depth
contained 7 to 9 times in standard length……………………………(emerald sleeper) Erotelis smaragdus
2b.
Scales ctenoid and rough, 40-65 longitudinal rows;
caudal fin not
extending anteriorly on body; body depth moderate..........................................Eleotris
The taxonomy in this genus is unresolved, thus, a key is not yet available. See list of species below.
3a.
First dorsal fin with 6 spines; body with about 40-65 longitudinal
scale rows; body and head strongly compressed................(bigmouth
sleeper) Gobiomorus
dormitor
3b.
First dorsal fin with 7 spines; body with fewer than 40 or more
than 90 longitudinal scale rows; body deep.................................................................4
4a.
Scales very small, about 110 longitudinal scale rows........................Guavina guavina
4b.
Scales large, about 25 to 35 longitudinal scale
rows............…..................Dormitator
The taxonomy in this genus is unresolved, thus, a key is not yet available. See list of species below.
List of species occurring in
the area:
Dormitator cubanus Ginsburg, 1953; to 10cm;
freshwater,
Dormitator lophocephalus Hoedeman,
1951; to 9cm;
Dormitator maculatus (Bloch, 1792); to 30cm,
common to 14.5 cm; fresh and
brackish waters, Chesapeake Bay to northern Gulf of Mexico southward to s.e. Brazil
Eleotris amblyopsis (Cope, 1871); to
8.3cm; northern and northeastern
Eleotris belizanus Sauvage,
1880; to 10cm;
Eleotris perniger (Cope, 1871); to 13cm;
Eleotris pisonis (Gmelin,
1789); to 25cm, common to 12.5cm; fresh and brackish waters,
South Carolina, Bermuda, Bahamas, and northern Gulf of Mexico to s.e. Brazil
Erotelis smaragdus (Valenciennes
in C & V, 1837); to 20cm; marine waters,
southeastern
Gobiomorus dormitor Lacepède
1800; to 60cm, commonly to 36cm; fresh and
brackish waters, southern
Guavina guavina (Valenciennes
in C & V, 1837); to 30cm;
