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• 2 ds
• 2nd dorsal fin base less than end 2nd dorsal fin base to tail fin base
• membrane under operculum - 6 rays
• pelvics widely separate
• no ll

SLEEPERS, GUDGEONS

Sleepers are primarily fresh and brackish water fishes that occur mainly in the tropics. Only a few species inhabit purely marine environments. Worldwide there are about 150 species in 35 genera, most of which are found in the Indo-Pacific region. In our region there are only five species (all endemics) from five genera that commonly occur in estuarine or marine habitats. They are mainly bottom- living fishes, although a few species are free-swimming. The diet consists primarily of benthic invertebrates, particularly crustaceans.

Sleepers are close relatives of gobies (Gobiidae), and the two groups share a number of morphological features including a generally elongate body, similar head shape, two separate dorsal fins, and absence of a lateral line. Most gobies however, have the pelvic fins completely or partially fused to form a disc-shaped structure, whereas the pelvics are completely separated in sleepers. In sleepers the base of the second dorsal fine is shorter than the distance from the end of the base of that fin to the tail fin.

References

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