Croakers
Overview
Croakers, also known as jewfishes or drums, belong to the Sciaenidae family, which is found across the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. They are distinguished by their long dorsal fin, which features a pronounced notch between the spinous and soft-rayed sections. These sections rarely separate completely. Croakers are also identifiable by their lateral line that extends to the tip of the caudal fin. Precise species identification often requires examining the swimbladder and otoliths, which involves cutting and gutting the fish.Members of the Sciaenidae family are known for their ability to produce a variety of sounds by grinding their teeth against the swimbladder. These sounds are used for communication, courtship, and defense. The sound production is a key characteristic of the family, and it is the origin of their English common names — croakers, drums, and jewfishes.
Croakers exhibit a wide range of sizes and behaviors and have adapted to diverse habitats. They predominantly inhabit coastal waters on continental shelves but can also be found in estuaries and rivers, particularly during breeding seasons or when they are young. Most croakers are associated with muddy or sandy bottoms, and some species form large shoals, making them targets for significant fisheries. As bottom-dwelling carnivores, croakers feed on small crustaceans, fish, and other benthic organisms.
Globally, the Sciaenidae family includes approximately 66 genera and 290 species.
Common Croaker Species List
English Name: Reeve's Croaker
French Name: Courbine Dorée
Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 黄金鳍口 (Huáng jīn qí kǒu), 地黄鱼 (Dì huáng yú), 地王鱼 (De wáng yú)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Gelama China, Gelama Kuning Dada, Gelama Lumpur
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาจวดหัวแหลม (Plā cwd h̄ạwh̄ælm)
Local Teochew: Chiak Sik
Main Identification Features: Snout acutely pointed, projecting in front of upper jaw. Pectoral fins yellow, other fins grey suffused with orange.
Size: Maximum standard length about 30 cm, commonly to 25 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Brackish to coastal, 10 to 65 m depth. An amphidromous species. Adults usually occur in large schools. Feeds mainly on small crustaceans.
English Name: Bengal Corvina, Croaker
Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 白黄姑鱼 (Bái huáng gū yú), 牛那妈 (Niú nà mā)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Gelama Benggala
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาจวดขาว (Plā cwd k̄hāw)
Local Hokkien: Gu La Ma
Local Teochew: Gu La Ma
Main Identification Features: Yellowish pelvic fin. Second anal fin spine long and strong.
Size: Maximum standard length 90 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Brackish to coastal, 10 to 75 m depth. An amphidromous species. Feeds mainly on crustaceans and small fishes.
English Name: Goatee Croaker
French Name: Bourrugue Chévre
Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 白姑魚 (Bái gū yú), 牛那妈 (Niú nà mā)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Gelama Janggut Tanda
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาจวดหน้าสั้น (Plā cwd h̄n̂ā s̄ận)
Local Hokkien: Gu La Ma
Local Teochew: Gu La Ma
Main Identification Features: A single pointed barbel on chin and a dark brown broad band on nape. Anal fin with 2 spines, second spine long.
Size: Maximum standard length 25 cm, commonly to 15 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Brackish to coastal, 15 to 40 m depth. An amphidromous species. Feeds mainly on small crustaceans and other invertebrates.
English Name: Bearded Croaker, Bearded Jewfish, Green-backed Croaker
French Name: Courbine Barbiche
Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 团头叫姑鱼 (Tuán tóu jiào gū yú), 顿头叫姑鱼 (Dùn tóu jiào gū yú), 牛那妈 (Niú nà mā)
Japanese Name | 和名: ヒゲイシモチ (Higeishimochi)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Gelama Keling, Gelama Papan, Gelama Tikus, Gelama Janggut Tumpul
Bahasa Indonesia: Ikan Gulamah, Gulama Papan, Diles, Kerokot
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาจวดเครา (Plā cud kherāw)
Local Hokkien: Gu La Ma
Local Teochew: Gu La Ma
Main Identification Features: Rounded snout forward of upper jaw. A stiff, blunt barbel on chin. Dorsal fin with 11 spines. 10 spines before dorsal fin notch, the second to fifth spines prolonged. Second part after the notch with 1 spine and 23 to 26 soft rays. Scales on body cycloid (smooth to the touch). Caudal fin S-shaped or truncate. Generally silvery black in colour with prolonged spinous portion of dorsal fin black distally.
Size: Maximum standard length about 25 cm, commonly to 15 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Inhabits coastal waters and estuaries, to 40 m depth.
English Name: Belanger's Croaker
French Name: Courbine de Belanger
Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 白姑魚 (Bái gū yú), 牛那妈 (Niú nà mā)
Japanese Name | 和名: コニベ (Konibe)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Gelama Birai, Gelama Panjang, Jarau
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาจวดหน้าทู่ (Plā cwd h̄n̂ā thū̀)
Local Hokkien: Gu La Ma
Local Teochew: Gu La Ma
Main Identification Features: Spinous part of dorsal fin and upper part of opercle with black marking. Caudal fin rhomboidal.
Size: Maximum standard length 20 cm, commonly 15 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Brackish to coastal, 7 to 100 m depth, common at 7 to 40 m depth. An amphidromous species. Usually occur in schools. Feeds mainly on small crustaceans and worms.
English Name: Sharpnose Hammer Croaker, River Croaker
French Name: Courbine Dentue
Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 白姑魚 (Bái gū yú), 牛那妈 (Niú nà mā)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Gelama Batu, Gelama Tukul
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาจวด (Plā cwd)
Size: Maximum standard length at about 24 cm, commonly 15 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Coastal waters and estuaries, to 130 m depth. An amphidromous species. Feeds mainly on small crustaceans and small fishes.
English Name: Coitor Croaker
Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 白姑魚 (Bái gū yú), 牛那妈 (Niú nà mā)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Gelama Borneo, Gelama Papan
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาจวดคงคา (Plā cwd khngkhā)
Local Hokkien: Gu La Ma
Local Teochew: Gu La Ma
Main Identification Features: Spinous part of dorsal fin with dusky to black border. Soft part of dorsal, anal and caudal fins with a dull green/grey border.
Size: Maximum standard length at about 16 cm, commonly 13 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Shallow coastal waters, estuaries and rivers. An amphidromous species. Predominantly carnivorous.
English Name: Smooth Croaker
Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 白姑魚 (Bái gū yú), 牛那妈 (Niú nà mā)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Gelama
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาจวด (Plā cwd)
Local Hokkien: Gu La Ma
Local Teochew: Gu La Ma
Main Identification Features: Large eyes. Dorsal soft ray count 29-34. Head and upper body colour iridescent mauve or bronze, lower part of body silvery-white, fins yellow, black margins to dorsal and caudal fins.
Size: Maximum standard length at about 14 cm, commonly 11 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Coastal waters, to 60 m depth. Feeds on small crustaceans, small fishes and benthic organisms.
English Name: Big-snout Croaker
Chinese Name: 牛那妈 (Niú nà mā), 大鼻孔叫姑鱼 (Dà bíkǒng jiào gū yú)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Gelama, Gelama Kepak Kuning
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาจวดหางเหลือง (Plā cwd h̄āng h̄elụ̄xng)
Local Hokkien: Gu La Ma
Local Teochew: Gu La Ma
Main Identification Features: Anal fin with 2 spines and 7 soft rays, second spine rather short, slender, 23 to 39% of head length. Caudal fin rhomboidal, become truncate or S-shaped in specimens over 15 cm standard length. Lower part of body with a golden tinge. Pectoral, pelvic, and anal fins yellow. A faint steel blue blotch on gill cover. Small scales present on soft parts of dorsal and anal fins.
Size: Maximum standard length 30 cm, commonly to 22 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Coastal waters, to 60 m depth. Feeds on small fishes and crustaceans.
English Name: Yellow Croaker
Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 小黃魚 (Xiǎohuángyú), 黄花鱼 (Huánghuā yú)
Japanese Name | 和名: キグチ (Kiguchi)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Gelama Emas, Gelama Kuning, Gelama Dada Kuning
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาจวดเงิน (Plā cwd ngein)
Size: Maximum standard length at about 40 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Coastal waters, to 120 m depth. An oceanodromous species. Feeds mainly on small fishes and crustaceans.
Remarks: Body gold when fresh. Mostly caught at the beginning of the Northeast Monsoon season. Most of these fish are caught with eggs. Possibly a new species.
English Name: White Flower Croaker, Yellow Drum
Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 牛那妈 (Niú nà mā), 黃姑魚 (Huáng gū yú)
Japanese Name | 和名: コイチ (Koichi)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Gelama Bunga
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาจวด (Plā cwd)
Local Hokkien: Gu La Ma
Local Teochew: Gu La Ma
Size: Maximum standard length at 43.5 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Coastal, 25 to 80 m depth. Feeds mainly on benthic invertebrates.
English Name: Soldier Croaker
Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 牛那妈 (Niú nà mā), 白板 (Bái bǎn)
Japanese Name | 和名: ソルジャークローカー (Sorujākurōkā)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Gelama Papan, Gelama Bongkok
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาจวดคอม้า (Plā cwd khxm̂ā), ปลาจวดม้า (Plā cwd m̂ā), ปลาจวดเทา (Plā cwd theā)
Local Hokkien: Gu La Ma
Local Teochew: Gu La Ma
Main Identification Features: Body deep with arched back. Snout rounded, but not swollen or projecting.
Size: Maximum standard length at 60 cm, commonly to 40 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Coastal and brackish waters, 1 to 40 m depth. An amphidromous species. Feeds on small fishes and invertebrates.
English Name: Tigertooth Croaker
Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 双牙(Shuāng yá)
Japanese Name | 和名: タイガートゥースドクローカー (Taigāto~ūsudokurōkā)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Gelama Gigi Jarang, Gelama Bulat, Tenkerong Panjang
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาจวดเขี้ยว (Plā cwd k̄heī̂yw), ปลาจวดเตียน (Plā cwd teīyn), ปลาจวดเขี้ยวโง้ง (Plā cwd k̄heī̂yw ngông)
Local Hokkien: Sum Geh
Local Teochew: Sum Geh
Main Identification Features: 1 or 2 pairs of strong canines at front of one or both jaws. Body slender and cylindrical. Caudal fin rhomboidal.
Size: Maximum standard length at 70 cm, commonly to 40 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Brackish to coastal waters, 3 to 100 m depth, commonly to 40 m depth. An amphidromous species. Feeds on crustaceans, worms, molluscs, and fishes.
English Name: Bronze Croaker
French Name: Verrue Bronzée
Japanese Name | 和名: ブロンズクローカー (Buronzukurōkā)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Gelama Selampai, Tenkerong Merah
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาจวดสองซีก (Plā cwd s̄xng sīk)
Main Identification Features: Mouth large and oblique. Upper jaw extending backward well beyond hind margin of eye. Body slender and cylindrical, minutely brown dotted. Caudal fin pointed. Dorsal, anal, and caudal fins brown or yellow to pale orange. Pectoral fins brown with black spot at base.
Size: Maximum standard length about 160 cm, commonly to 100 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Shallow coastal waters, estuaries and rivers, to 40 m depth. An amphidromous species. Feeds on small fishes and invertebrates.
English Name: Pama Croaker, Long-finned Croaker
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Gelama Selampai, Tengkerong, Selampai Payau
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาจวด (Plā cwd)
Main Identification Features: 40 to 45 soft rays in dorsal fin. Mouth terminal. Upper jaw reaching back beyond eye. Pectoral fin long, same or longer than head. Caudal fin long and pointed. Lateral line scales reaching to tip of caudal fin.
Size: Maximum total length at 160 cm, commonly to 100 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Coastal waters, estuaries and rivers. An amphidromous species.
English Name: Panna Croaker
French Name: Courbine Ragane
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Gelama Pisang, Gelama Panjang, Tengkerong, Gelama-panjang Pisang
Bahasa Indonesia: Ikan Gulamah, Gulama Batu
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาจวดยาว (Plā cwd yāw)
Main Identification Features: Slender, cylindrical body. Lateral-line scales, with a coating of small secondary scales. Mouth large and terminal. The upper jaw extending backward below hind margin of eye. Pectoral and pelvic fins yellowish. Dorsal and anal fins dusky with dark margin.
Size: Maximum standard length about 30 cm, commonly to 20 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Shallow coastal waters and estuaries.
English Name: Half-mourning Croaker
Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 牛那妈 (Niú nà mā), 黑鰭黃姑魚 (Hēi qí huáng gū yú)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Gelama Kelam
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาจวด (Plā cwd)
Local Hokkien: Gu La Ma
Local Teochew: Gu La Ma
Main Identification Features: Yellowish colouration at anal and lower part of caudal fin.
Size: Maximum total length 44 cm, commonly to 30 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Coastal waters.
English Name: Bigeye Croaker, Donkey Croaker
Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 牛那妈 (Niú nà mā), 大眼白姑鱼 (Dà yǎn bái gū yú)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Gelama Pisang
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาจวดหางตัด (Plā cwd h̄āng tạd), ปลำจวดครีบเทำ (Plā cwd khrīb theā)
Local Hokkien: Gu La Ma
Local Teochew: Gu La Ma
Size: Maximum standard length 30 cm, commonly to 20 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Estuaries and coastal waters, to 60 m depth. Feeds on small crustaceans, benthic worms and small fishes.
English Name: Big-head Pennah Croaker
Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 牛那妈 (Niú nà mā), 大头白姑鱼 (Dà tóu bái gū yú)
Japanese Name | 和名: タイワンシログチ (Taiwanshiroguchi)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Gelama Cerua
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาจวดหัวโต (Plā cwd h̄ạw to)
Local Hokkien: Gu La Ma
Local Teochew: Gu La Ma
Size: Maximum standard length 23 cm, commonly to 18 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Coastal waters, to 100 m depth, commonly at around 40 to 60 m depth. Feeds on small invertebrates and fishes.
English Name: Big Head Croaker
Chinese Name: 牛那妈 (Niú nà mā), 大头白姑鱼 (Dà tóu bái gū yú)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Gelama
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาจวด (Plā cwd)
Local Hokkien: Gu La Ma
Local Teochew: Gu La Ma
Main Identification Features: Mouth terminal, oblique. Body oval, body depth 2.7–3.2 in standard length. Snout short, steep, equal to eye diameter. Caudal fin weakly S-shaped. Head and body pinkish grey on back, becoming paler ventrally with golden reflections on head. Gill cover with diffused dark blotch. Spinous dorsal fin with a thin black margin. Soft dorsal fin with a series of dark spots along base.
Size: Maximum standard length 18 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Coastal waters, 23 to 62 m depth.
English Name: Pawak Croaker
Chinese Name: 牛那妈 (Niú nà mā), 斑鳍白姑鱼 (Bān qí bái gū yú)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Gelama Jawa, Gelama Perak
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาจวดปาวัค (Plā cwd pā wạkh)
Local Hokkien: Gu La Ma
Local Teochew: Gu La Ma
Main Identification Features: Body elongated and compressed, dorsal and ventral profile moderately curved. Upper jaw with outer row enlarged as canine teeth and exposed when mouth is closed. Caudal fin rhomboid with dark margin. Large black blotch on spinous dorsal fin. Black lining of gill shows conspicuously through gill cover. Soft dorsal fin with a pale band between basal and distal dark zones.
Size: Maximum standard length 23.2 cm, commonly to 20 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Inhabits coastal waters with muddy substrates. Feeds on small crustaceans.
English Name: Terengganu Yellow Croaker, Yellow Croaker
Chinese Name: 小黃魚 (Xiǎohuángyú), 黄花鱼 (Huánghuā yú)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Gelama Emas, Gelama Dada Kuning
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาจวด (Plā cwd)
Main Identification Features: Eye oval, mouth large, oblique and terminal. Caudal fin rhomboidal or rather pointed. Body gold when fresh.
Size: Maximum total length 45 cm.
Remarks: A rare species found in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, mostly caught at the beginning of the Northeast Monsoon season. Most of these fish are caught with eggs. Specimen caught together with Larimichthys polyactis above.
English Name: Bigmouth Croaker
Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 双牙(Shuāng yá)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Gelama Gigi Jarang, Jarang-gigi Jarau Putih
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาจวดเตียนลาย (Plā cwd teīyn lāy)
Local Hokkien: Sum Geh
Local Teochew: Sum Geh
Main Identification Features: 1 or 2 pairs of strong canines at tip of upper jaw and 1 pair at tip of lower jaw. Mouth large and strongly oblique. Caudal fin pointed.
Size: Maximum standard length 50 cm, commonly to 40 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Coastal waters and estuaries. Able to tolerate a wide range of salinity.
English Name: Blotched Tigertooth Croaker, Spotted Jewfish
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Gelama Jarau Bintik, Eron, Gelama Musang, Tengkerong, Jarang-gigi Jarau Bintik
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาจวดเขี้ยวจุด (Plā cwd k̄heī̂yw cud)
Main Identification Features: Body cylindrical. Snout upper profile rising evenly and almost horizontally to origin of dorsal fin. Mouth large, strongly oblique. Upper jaw extending backward below middle of eye. A pair of strong canines at front of both jaws. Upper part of body marked with black blotches.
Size: Maximum standard length 45 cm, commonly to 40 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Shallow coastal waters and estuaries.
English Name: Red Drum, Channel Bass
Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 眼斑拟石首鱼 (Yǎn bān nǐ shí shǒu yú)
Japanese Name | 和名: レッドドラム (Reddodoramu)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Gelama Taiwan, Senangin Taiwan
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาจวดแดง (Plā cwd dæng)
Local Hokkien: Taiwan Ngor
Main Identification Features: Body elongate, with a subterminal mouth and a blunt nose. Large black spot on the upper part of the tail base.
Size: Maximum total length 155 cm, commonly to 100 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Coastal waters and estuaries. Feeds mainly on crustaceans, molluscs and fishes.
