{"product_id":"sleepy-cod-oxyeleotris-lineolata","title":"Sleepy Cod | Oxyeleotris lineolata","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Sleepy Cod is one of Australia's most laid-back natives — a stocky, big-mouthed ambush predator that spends the day doing very little and the night inhaling anything it can swallow. Hardy and full of quiet character, it commonly reaches around 30 cm in the aquarium and can grow to 40 cm or more, so it needs plenty of room and tank mates too large to become a meal.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eOxyeleotris lineolata is native to the slow rivers, billabongs, lagoons and impoundments of northern and north-eastern Australia and southern New Guinea. It favours still or gently flowing water with plenty of cover — timber, undercut banks and dense vegetation — where it lies motionless waiting for prey.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA robust, cylindrical gudgeon with a broad head, large upturned mouth and rounded fins. The base colour ranges from olive-brown to grey with darker mottling and fine lines along the flanks, giving excellent camouflage against timber and leaf litter. Colour can shift lighter or darker with mood and surroundings.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eGenerally peaceful for its size but unmistakably predatory — anything small enough to fit in that big mouth will be eaten. It is largely sedentary and can be territorial toward other bottom-dwelling gudgeons or cod. Best kept with robust, similarly sized natives such as larger rainbowfish, grunters, silver perch or other cod.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA carnivore that relishes meaty foods — frozen prawn, fish pieces, earthworms, larger frozen foods and sinking carnivore pellets. It feeds mostly after dark, so offer food in the evening. Adults only need feeding a few times a week; avoid live feeder fish, which carry disease.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 200 L, and considerably more for a full-grown adult. Keep the temperature at 20–28 °C, pH 6.5–8.0 and moderately hard water. Strong filtration, good oxygenation and plenty of caves, timber and shaded hides suit it well. A secure lid is wise, and soft sand or smooth gravel over the base is ideal.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSleepy Cod are egg-layers that deposit adhesive eggs on a firm surface such as timber or rock, with the male guarding and fanning the clutch until hatching. They are bred commercially for aquaculture in Australia, but spawning a pair in the home aquarium is uncommon and requires a large, well-conditioned setup.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOxyeleotris lineolata\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSleepy Cod, Sleepy Gudgeon\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNorthern Australia and southern New Guinea\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommonly ~30 cm; can reach 40 cm or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–15 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePredatory (sedentary), can be territorial\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner to Intermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e300 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore: prawn, fish pieces, earthworms, sinking carnivore pellets\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.5–8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate to hard, around 8–20 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarge native and predator aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMostly (may dislodge plants when settling)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include larger rainbowfish, silver perch, grunters, other cod and robust natives too big to be eaten.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with any fish small enough to swallow, and with other large territorial gudgeons or cod in cramped quarters.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232769458467,"sku":"AA1731-S","price":10.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232769491235,"sku":"AA1731","price":14.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232769524003,"sku":"AA1731-L","price":19.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-30cm)","offer_id":55351954342179,"sku":"AA1731-XL","price":24.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/sleepy-cod-oxyeleotris-lineo-43878518194467.webp?v=1790305551","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/sleepy-cod-oxyeleotris-lineolata","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}