Considered a synonym of Eleotris perniger (Cope, 1871)
- Pezold, F. & B. Cage. 2002. "A review of the spinycheek sleepers, genus Eleotris (Teleostei: Eleotridae), of the Western Hemisphere, with comparisons to the west African species". Tulane Studies in Zoology and Botany. 31(2):19-63 (ffm00401)
Original description as Eleotris hilgendorfi:
- Pietschmann, V.. 1913. "Fische des Wiesbadener Museums". Jahrbücher des Nassauischen Vereins für Naturkunde. 66:170-201 (ffm00406)