The Fat Sleeper (family Eleotridae, particularly Dormitator maculatus) is a robust, bottom-dwelling fish found in brackish and freshwater habitats along the Atlantic coasts of the Americas, from the southeastern United States through Central America and into northern South America. Known for its adaptability to a range of salinities and its relatively large size for a sleeper goby, the Fat Sleeper is targeted both by artisanal and subsistence fishers, especially in countries like Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, and Brazil. While not a major global commercial species, it holds local importance in coastal and riverine communities, where it is caught using nets, traps, and handlines for food and local markets. The fishing industry for Fat Sleeper is generally small-scale, with the largest harvests reported from estuarine and mangrove areas in these countries, reflecting the fish’s ecological preference and regional culinary value.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mexico | 21 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.