SCIAENIDAE Otolithes ruber, 21.9 cm SL (photo by Seishi Kimura) Otolithes ruber (Bloch and Schneider, 1801) Tigertooth Croaker D X-XI, 26-30; A II, 7; P2 I, 5; LGR 8-11. Body slender, cylindrical. Snout not swollen or projecting, its dorsal profile rising evenly to dorsal fin origin. Posterior margin of maxilla reaching a vertical through posterior margin of orbit. No barbels on chin. Teeth differentiated into large and small in both jaws, with 1 or 2 pairs of strong canines at front of one or both jaws. Scales cycloid, but a few ctenoid on lower part of caudal peduncle. Swimbladder carrot-shaped with 32 to 36 pairs of fan-like appendages along sides, each appendage lodged beside bladder and none widely lapping dorsal surface of bladder wall, first pair not entering head. Color: body brownish dorsally, silvery with a golden sheen on middle and ventrally, often with oblique dark streaks dorsally. Pectoral, pelvic, and anal fins reddish or light brown. Size: maximum length 70 cm SL. Distribution: widely distributed in the Indo-West Pacific, from South Africa east to southern China and northeastern Australia. Remarks: occurs in shallow coastal waters to depths of 40 m. Feeds mainly on prawns and fishes.