Eleotris pisonis (Gmelin, 1789)
Spinycheek sleeper
Eleotris pisonis
photo by Vianna, M.

Family:  Eleotridae (Bully sleepers)
Max. size:  25 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater; brackish; marine, amphidromous
Distribution:  Northwest to western Central Atlantic: Bermuda, Bahamas, South Carolina and northern Gulf of Mexico in USA to southeastern Brazil.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 9-9
Biology:  Adults are found on shallow, muddy or sandy bottoms (Ref. 13628). They appear to prefer estuarine freshwater tributaries, occurring in waters with a salinity range of 0 to 19 ppt (Ref. 7251), or up to 36.6 in some cases (Ref. 97140). Feed on dipteran larvae and pupae (especially the juveniles); crustaceans like crabs and shrimps; and small fishes. The diet changes with sexual maturity and season. Gonadal development takes place during the dry season. Average size at maturity is 5.7 mm for males and 4.3 mm for females (Ref. 35237).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 21 March 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:  Occurs near the sea in both clear free flowing streams and standing turbid waters (Ref. 11225). Inhabits salt water but frequently penetrates into fresh water (Ref. 27226). Recorded from Cocorite Swamp, west of Port of Spain (Ref. 27226). Also Ref. 33407.


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