otoliid

The otoliid, also known as the "drum" or "croaker" family, refers to a group of marine ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Sciaenidae. These fish are characterized by their distinctive ability to produce sound through a mechanism involving their swim bladders. Specialized muscles attached to the swim bladder vibrate, creating a drumming or croaking noise. This sound is believed to be used for communication, attracting mates, and potentially warding off predators.

Otoliids are found in tropical and temperate waters worldwide, inhabiting a variety of marine environments including coastal areas, estuaries, and offshore reefs. They exhibit considerable diversity in size and shape, with many species being of commercial and recreational importance. Common examples include the Atlantic croaker, the red drum, and the kingfish. Their diet typically consists of small invertebrates and fish. The otoliths, or ear stones, found within their inner ears are unusually large and dense, hence the family name Sciaenidae, derived from the Greek word "skiaina," meaning a rattling fish.