Chinese sleeper (Perccottus glenii)

Scientific name: Perccottus glenii Dybowski, 1877

The Chinese sleeper (Perccottus glenii) is a freshwater fish of the family Odontobutidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 15–30°C (59–86°F).

Chinese sleeper care at a glance

Temperature: 15–30°C (59–86°F)

Biology

Occurs in lentic waters, lakes, ponds, backwaters and marshes with dense underwater vegetation and avoids river stretches with fast and even slow current. Prefers stagnant rivers and bogs. Can tolerate poorly oxygenated water and able to survive in dried out or completely frozen water bodies by digging itself into mud where it hibernates. A voracious predatory fish constituting a most serious threat to aquatic fauna wherever it occurs. In small water bodies; known to extirpate almost all other fish species and amphibian larvae. Spawns for the first time at 1-3 years and about 6.0 cm SL. Spawns several potions of eggs in May to June at 15-20?C. Elongated eggs with sticky filaments usually deposited in one row close to water surface on underwater structures such as ro

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Perccottus glenii
Family: Odontobutidae (Freshwater sleepers)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 25.0
Environment: Freshwater; brackish; demersal
Climate: Temperate
Distribution: Europe and Asia: Far east of Russia, northeast China, and in northern North Korea. Has also been reported from South Korea. At least one country reports adverse ecological impact after introduction.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Potential pest
Uses: Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: potential
Resilience: Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)