Croaker

One or two spines on supraorbital ridge of frontal in juveniles (up to 50 mm SL); transition from cycloid to ctenoid scales initiated at around 30 mm SL; all body scales, except on throat, ctenoid over 60 mm SL; scales absent on soft parts of dorsal and anal fins; lateral line scales covered with small, subsidiary scales; cephalic portion of swimbladder appendage terminating on caudal foramen of cranium (Ref 10086).

Dorsal spines (total): 10 - 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 33 - 36; Analspines: 2; Analsoft rays: 6 - 7; Vertebrae: 11 - 25

Inhabits shallow coastal waters and estuaries; young and juveniles occur in mangrove swamps (Ref. 9772). Also caught with bottom trawls, and handlines (Ref. 9772). Sold fresh and dried salted in markets.

fisheries: minor commercial; price category: medium; price reliability: very questionable: based on ex-vessel price for species in this family