Bigmouth sleeper (Gobiomorus dormitor) is found from the Carolinas south along the coast to eastern Florida, through the Keys and south through the Caribbean to the northern Coast of South America where it can be found as far south as Brazil. This is also found along the western Florida coast west to Texas, and then south along the Mexican coast and further south along the Caribbean Central American coast. The bigmouth sleeper can grow to about 2 feet long. This fish can normally be found resting on the bottom.

Sleepers or gudgeons (Eleotrididae or Eleotridae) are a group of about 300 species found worldwide. These are closely related to the gobies. However, there are mostly freshwater species in this group even though there are a few marine species. There are quite a few species adpated to living in the mouths of rivers and bays that are brackish.

Perch-like Fish, Order Perciformes, are the largest order of fish in both freshwater and shallow saltwater. Most of the conventional fish belong to this order. The bass, bluegills, perch and crappies of freshwater plus the groupers and sea bass of salt water belong to this order. The fish all have spiny rays in their fins and the tail fin has seventeen rays. There are approximately 150 families. Herein, we have placed the families in alphabetical sequence within this order. (In some instances the typical taxonomic sequence of families is not much help. Consider, for example, that the barracudas are usually placed between the mullets and the threadfins.)

Bony fish, Class Teleostomi, are a class of chordates that include the majority of fish-like animals found on earth. They are characterized by a bony jaw and a bony skeleton. They are found in both fresh and marine waters.

Backboned Animals (Phylum Chordata) are the most advanced group of animals on earth. These animals are characterized by having a spinal cord or backbone. Most members have a clearly defined brain that controls the organism through a spinal cord. Fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals are in this phylum.

Currently, some taxonomists believe that the fish should be divided into two groups (sharks and regular fishes) and that there are some other primitive groups in the phylum such as hagfish or lampreys.

Animal Kingdom contains numerous organisms that feed on other animals or plants. Included in the animal kingdom are the lower marine invertebrates such as sponges and corals, the jointed legged animals such as insects and spiders, and the backboned animals such as fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

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