Chinese sleeper facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chinese sleeper |
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| Chinese sleeper in aquarium | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Gobiiformes |
| Family: | Odontobutidae |
| Genus: | Perccottus |
| Species: |
P. glenii
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| Binomial name | |
| Perccottus glenii Dybowski, 1877
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| The range of the Chinese sleeper (native in green; introduced in red) | |
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| Synonyms | |
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The Chinese sleeper (Perccottus glenii) is a type of freshwater fish. It's also known as the Amur sleeper. This fish originally comes from the Amur River area in eastern Asia. However, it has been introduced to other parts of Eurasia by people. It is currently the only known fish in its special group, called a genus.
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What Does the Chinese Sleeper Look Like?
The Chinese sleeper, sometimes called "rotan" in Russia, looks a bit like a perch or a sculpin. Its eyes are high on its head. It has a rounded nose and a lower jaw that sticks out a little.
This fish has two fins on its back, called dorsal fins. There is almost no space between them. The front dorsal fin has six to eight sharp spines. The back one has nine to eleven soft rays. Its anal fin, on the underside, has one to three spines and seven to ten soft rays.
You can tell this fish apart from gobies because its pelvic fins are not joined together. Also, its second dorsal fin, anal fin, and tail fin are more rounded and shorter than those of gobies. The Chinese sleeper is usually brownish. It has a pattern of darker marks or stripes that look like a checkerboard. Dark lines spread out from its eyes on its head.
This fish can grow up to 25 centimetres (9.8 in) long. The heaviest one ever recorded weighed about 250 grams (8.8 oz).
Where Does the Chinese Sleeper Live?
The Chinese sleeper is originally from the Far East. But in the early 1900s, it started appearing in ponds in Eastern Europe. Since then, it has spread to many parts of the Danube and Vistula rivers, as well as other river systems. In these new places, it is considered an invasive species.
This fish usually lives in ponds, closed water bodies, and slow-moving streams. The furthest west it has been found is in ponds in the Bavarian Danube basin in Germany. It has even been found in slightly salty water in the North-Western Black Sea in Ukraine.
Why Is It an Invasive Species?
In Europe, the Chinese sleeper was added to a list of "Invasive Alien Species of Union concern" in 2016. This means that in the whole European Union, you cannot import, breed, transport, sell, or intentionally release this fish into the environment.
In some places, like Latvia, the Chinese sleeper has taken over. There have been cases where a whole fish community was made up only of Chinese sleepers. This shows how well it can spread and compete with local fish.
How Does the Chinese Sleeper Behave?
The Chinese sleeper is very adaptable. It can live in many different conditions. It eats insects and their young, small crustaceans, and even baby fish.
When it's time to lay eggs, the fish spawns in warm, shallow areas among plants. The male fish then guards the eggs to protect them.
Why Is This Fish Important?
The Chinese sleeper is not a major fish for large-scale fishing. However, it can be kept as an aquarium fish.
When this fish is introduced to new areas, it can cause problems. Because it eats a lot and is a predator, it can harm the local fish and other animals. This is why its spread is a concern for the environment.
See also
In Spanish: Durmiente chino para niños
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