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Croaker (Otolithes ruber) — Sciaenidae

Croaker

Otolithes ruber
Family: Sciaenidae
LC · Least Concern

The Croaker (Otolithes ruber) is a brackish-water fish of the family Sciaenidae that grows up to 90 cm.

Length
90 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
10.0–50.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific; coastal waters on soft bottoms.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The tigertooth croaker is a croaker (Sciaenidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has an elongate, silvery body and, characteristically, two large canine teeth ('tiger teeth') at the front of the upper jaw. Like other croakers it makes drumming sounds with its swim bladder. It inhabits coastal waters on soft bottoms. As a predator it hunts fishes, shrimps and other invertebrates. It is a valued food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Croaker?

The Croaker has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Two large canine teeth ('tiger teeth') at the front of the mouth; drums with the swim bladder, food fish.

Where does the Croaker live?

The Croaker lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Indo-West Pacific; coastal waters on soft bottoms.

How big does the Croaker get?

The Croaker grows to a maximum of about 90 cm. On average the species is around 40 cm.

Is the Croaker dangerous to humans?

No, the Croaker is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Croaker edible?

Yes, the Croaker is commonly eaten.

More photos

Croaker (Otolithes ruber) — Sciaenidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Croaker (Otolithes ruber) — Sciaenidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Bloch, Marcus Elieser; Hennig, J. F.; Schneider, Johann Gottlob (Public domain) [illustratie]
Croaker (Otolithes ruber) — Sciaenidae — 4
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Croaker (Otolithes ruber) — Sciaenidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) nishadeshaal, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Croaker verified
Scientific name
Otolithes ruber
Family
Sciaenidae
Other names
Croaker; Drum; Jew fish; Jewfish; Jewfish croaker; Tigertooth croaker; Tiger-toothed croaker; Silver teraglin; Longtooth salmon; Longtoothed salmon; Rosy jewfish; Snapper kob verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
90.0 verified
Average length (cm)
40.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
50.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific; coastal waters on soft bottoms. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Fishes, shrimps and other invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
5.0 verified
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Two large canine teeth ('tiger teeth') at the front of the mouth; drums with the swim bladder, food fish. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Otolithes

More from the family Sciaenidae

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