Pacific Fat Sleeper
Dormitator latifrons
A chunky estuarine predator that breathes air and swallows anything it can fit in its mouth.
About
The Pacific Fat Sleeper (Dormitator latifrons) is a hefty, no-nonsense bottom dweller native to the shallow coastal lowlands and estuaries stretching from southern California all the way down to Peru. In the wild it settles into muddy and sandy substrates in slow-moving or even stagnant water, plowing through sediment in search of detritus and planktonic food. Don't let that detritivore diet fool you, though. It will readily consume any tankmate small enough to swallow whole, which makes choosing compatible fish a real exercise in size-matching. One of its more unusual traits is facultative air-breathing, meaning it can gulp atmospheric air when dissolved oxygen drops low, an adaptation well-suited to the brackish ditches and estuarine backwaters it calls home. It moves freely between fresh and marine water in nature, so it tolerates a wide salinity range in captivity. Despite its size, reaching well over a foot at maturity, the Pacific Fat Sleeper is considered a manageable choice even for newer keepers, largely because it shrugs off a wide range of water conditions and is a confident, eager feeder. A spacious tank with a soft substrate and minimal small tankmates is the straightforward recipe for keeping one successfully.
Similar species
Other fish you might consider
Frequently asked questions
- How big does the Pacific Fat Sleeper get?
- The Pacific Fat Sleeper reaches about 15.5–16" as an adult.
- What size tank does the Pacific Fat Sleeper need?
- A minimum of 65 gallons is recommended for the Pacific Fat Sleeper.
- What water parameters does the Pacific Fat Sleeper need?
- The Pacific Fat Sleeper does best with a temperature of 77–91°F, a pH of 7.5–9.5.
- Is the Pacific Fat Sleeper aggressive?
- The Pacific Fat Sleeper is aggressive and is best kept alone or with robust tankmates that can hold their own.
- What does the Pacific Fat Sleeper eat?
- The Pacific Fat Sleeper is a carnivore. It needs a meaty, protein-rich diet of frozen or live foods.
- How long does the Pacific Fat Sleeper live?
- With good care, the Pacific Fat Sleeper typically lives 6-12 years.