SCIAENIDAE


Johnius borneensis, 13.3 cm SL
(photo by Seishi Kimura)


Johnius borneensis
(Bleeker, 1851)
Sharptooth Hammer Croaker

D X-XII, 26-32; A II, 7-8; P2 I, 5; LGR 9-15.

Body moderately elongate. No barbel on chin. Teeth differentiated into large and small in both jaws, but lacking canine teeth. Dorsal fin spines not prolonged. Cycloid scales on head, ctenoid on body; small scales covering soft-rayed portions of dorsal and anal fins. Swimbladder hammershaped, with 14-17 pairs of arborescent appendages along its sides, first pair entering head beyond transverse septumand sending a palmate branch to front of pectoral arch. Color: body silver- white. Outer two-thirds of spinous portion of dorsal fin blackish. Pectoral, pelvic and anal fins pale yellow. Size: maximum standard length 30 cm. Distribution: distributed in the Indo- West Pacific, from the Persian Gulf east to New Guinea and northeastern Australia. Remarks: occurs in shallow coastal waters, estuaries and rivers.