Editing Sleepy cod

{{Short description|Species of fish}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Sleepy_cod.png
| image_caption = 51 cm sleepy cod caught in Queensland in 2018
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| taxon = Oxyeleotris lineolata
| authority = ([[Franz Steindachner|Steindachner]], 1867)
| synonyms =
* ''Eleotris lineolata'' <small>Steindachner, 1867</small>
}}

The '''sleepy cod''' (''Oxyeleotris lineolata'') is a medium-sized fish in the family [[Butidae]], native to [[tropical]] fresh waters of northern [[Australia]] and questionably from [[New Guinea]].  It is a member of the order [[Perciformes]], thus is unrelated to the true cods in the order [[Gadiformes]].  Neither are they closely related to the Australian freshwater cods such as the [[Murray cod]] of the genus ''[[Maccullochella]]''.

They are one of the most favoured freshwater fish in Australia for eating, having white, flaky flesh, low fat content, and a mild flavour.

==Morphology and biology==
The sleepy cod can reach a length of {{convert|51|cm|in|abbr=on}}, though most do not exceed {{convert|20|cm|in|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{FishBase |genus= Oxyeleotris|species= lineolata| month = April | year = 2013}}</ref>  Fish up to {{convert|3|kg|lb|abbr=on}} have been caught by anglers.<ref name="fishes">{{cite web|last1=Gomon|first1=Martin|title=Sleepy Cod, Oxyeleotris lineolata|url=http://www.fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/4155#moreinfo|website=Fishes of Australia|accessdate=11 September 2014}}</ref>

They are dark brown along the back and paler on the sides, with fuzzy dark lines running along scale rows.<ref name="fishes" />  Juveniles have a white or cream patch running along the back and top of the head, with brown sides and a white belly.<ref name="fishes" />

Females spawn in the [[benthic zone]] from October to February.  Males guard nests of up to 70,000 eggs until larvae hatch, usually after 5–7 days.

They are usually found in quiet or slow-flowing water in freshwater rivers, creeks, and [[billabong]]s throughout northern Australia.<ref name="fishes" />

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.nativefish.asn.au/home/page/Sleepy-Cod Native Fish Australia - Sleepy Cod page]
* [http://fishbase.org/Photos/PicturesSummary.php?ID=22769&what=species Photograph]

{{Taxonbar|from=Q3359102}}

[[Category:Oxyeleotris|sleepy cod]]
[[Category:Freshwater fish of Australia]]
[[Category:Fish described in 1867|sleepy cod]]

{{Gobiiformes-stub}}