SCIAENIDAE Protonibea diacantha, 15.4 cm SL (photo by Seishi Kimura) Protonibea diacantha (Lacepède, 1802) Spotted Croaker D X-XI, 22-25; A II, 7; P2 I, 5; LGR 7-8. Body moderately elongate. No barbels on chin. Three pairs of pores on ventral surface of lower jaw, first pair united by a groove. Teeth differentiated into large and small in upper jaw, but without outstanding canines. Cycloid scales on snout and below orbit and ctenoid scales on remainder. Swimbladder carrot-shaped, with 16-20 pairs of arborescent appendages along its sides, anterior pair branching behind posterior surface of transverse septum. Color: body with 3-5 poorly defined grayish vertical bands; numerous small black spots scattered on dorsal body and dorsal and caudal fins. Pectoral, pelvic and anal fins blackish. Size: maximum standard length 150 cm. Distribution: distributed in the Indo-West Pacific, from the Persian Gulf east to southern China and northeastern Australia. Remarks: occurs in shallow coastal waters and estuaries.