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Diadromous Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🌡️ Tropical

Fat sleeper

Dormitator maculatus Bloch, 1792
Max Length
70 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
2.5
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
Very low
Vulnerability
63.00/100
Typical Length
14.5 cm
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Facultative air-breathing in the genus ; Adults inhabit marshes, muddy ponds and channels with a salinity range of 0 to 21 ppt , up to 38.4 ppt in some cases . Mostly found in fresh water but also in brackish mangrove areas. They ascend upstream but remain in the lower reaches. Sexually mature after one year. Gonads develop during the dry season. Average size at maturity is 5.1 cm for males, 4.5 cm for females. Omnivorous, adults feed mainly on plants, sediments and invertebrates. They undergo coloration change during reproduction, carrying out a complex nuptial parade. Adults guard the nest. Egg is 0.3 mm, incubation time is 11 to 16 hours at 27°C .

Scientific Name
Dormitator maculatus
Authority
Bloch, 1792
Habitat
Diadromous
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
70 cm
Latitude
5°S – 37°N
Trophic Level
2.5
Resilience
Very low
Vulnerability
63.00/100
Migration
Amphidromous
Water Temp
17–35 °C
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 1 - 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9 - 15; Anal spines: 0 - 1; Anal soft rays: 9 - 10. A short stubby fish with a conspicuously flat head .: fusiform / normal.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Fat sleeper is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Fat sleeper is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for Fat sleeper is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; amphidromous . Tropical; 17°C - 35°C ; 37°N - 5°S North to South America: along the Atlantic slope from North Carolina (USA) to southeastern Brazil.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 💧 Freshwater 🌿 Brackish ⬇️ Benthic
Migration
Amphidromous
Trophic Level
2.5±0.1
Food Items

plants, sediments and invertebrates

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00977 × L3.08 (TL)
Max TL
70cm
Dorsal Spines
4
Dorsal Rays
12
Anal Spines
1
Anal Rays
10

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Temperature Range
17–35°C
Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2019

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Very low
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
63.00/100
High vulnerability
Trophic Level
2.5
Omnivore / Planktivore
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Tropical
Latitude Range
37°N – 5°S
Described By
Bloch, 1792

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Fat sleeper is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
  • Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
  • Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
  • Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
  • Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

Nutrition

Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central

Nutrient Amount
Protein 18 g
Omega-3 (total) 167 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Fat sleeper has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Batanga pleurops Boulenger 1909 Synonym
Dormitator lineatus Gill 1863 Synonym
Dormitator macrophthalmus Puyo 1944 Synonym
Dormitator microphthalmus Gill 1863 Synonym
Dormitator pleurops Boulenger 1909 Synonym
Eleotris grandisquama Valenciennes 1837 Synonym
Eleotris gundlachi Poey 1860 Synonym
Eleotris mugiloides Valenciennes 1837 Synonym
Eleotris omocyaneus Poey 1860 Synonym
Eleotris pleurops Boulenger 1909 Synonym
Eleotris sima Valenciennes 1837 Synonym
Eleotris somnulentus Girard 1858 Synonym
Sciaena maculata Bloch 1792 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 67 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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