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Blackspotted croaker

Blackspotted croaker

Large Indo-Pacific marine fish prized for its high market value.

The blackspotted croaker is a large marine species found across the Indo-Pacific. It is highly valued in East Asian markets, where it commands premium prices due to perceived medicinal qualities. The fish inhabits coastal mud bottoms and occasionally enters estuaries.

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  • Grows up to 180 cm in total length
  • Prized in East Asia for perceived medicinal value
  • Designated state fish of Gujarat in 2023
  • Found in coastal mud habitats up to 60 m deep
  • Only species in the genus Protonibea

What it is

This marine ray-finned fish belongs to the drum and croaker family. It is the sole member of its genus. Adults can grow up to 180 cm in length. The body features three to five broad dark vertical bands. Small black spots cover the head, upper body, and specific fins. These markings tend to fade as the fish matures. The pectoral, pelvic, anal, and lower tail fins are dark in colour. Its swimbladder resembles a carrot with branched side appendages.

Where it lives

The species has a wide distribution across the Indo-Pacific region. Its range extends from the Persian Gulf eastward into the Pacific Ocean. Northern limits reach Japan, while southern boundaries include northern Australia. In Australian waters, it occurs from Onslow in Western Australia along the tropical coast to Mackay in Queensland. It typically inhabits coastal areas over mud substrates. Depths rarely exceed 60 metres. The fish occasionally moves into estuaries and tidal river reaches.

Fish and people

Markets in East Asia prize this fish as a delicacy. High prices in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Japan reflect demand. Some consumers believe its organs have medicinal properties, despite a lack of scientific evidence. In India, it is known as Telia in Odia. Fishermen in Odisha have sold large specimens for thousands of rupees per kilogram. Gujarat designated it as the state fish in 2023. A massive catch in the Sundarbans recently fetched a significant sum in local currency.

Status and threats

The population in the Persian Gulf is assessed as Least Concern. The species faces pressure from commercial fishing due to its high market value. Large individuals command exceptional prices at auction. This economic incentive drives targeted fishing efforts in regions like Odisha and Bangladesh. No broader global conservation status is provided in the available data.

Questions people ask about Blackspotted croaker

Why is the blackspotted croaker so expensive?

It is considered a delicacy in East Asia. High demand in countries like Japan and Singapore drives up the price. Some buyers believe its organs have medicinal properties, although there is no scientific evidence to support this claim.

Where does the blackspotted croaker live?

It inhabits coastal waters across the Indo-Pacific, from the Persian Gulf to Japan and northern Australia. It prefers mud substrates at depths up to 60 metres and occasionally enters estuaries and tidal rivers.

How large can this fish grow?

The blackspotted croaker can reach a maximum total length of 180 cm. Recent catches in India and Bangladesh have included individuals weighing over 20 kg, demonstrating their substantial size.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Blackspotted croaker", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.

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The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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