Johnius carutta was first formally described in 1793 by the German physician and naturalist Marcus Elieser Bloch with its type locality given as estuary of the Hooghly River near Diamond Harbour in India.

[6] Johnius carutta has a specific name which is derived from Karutta Kattolei, the Malayalam name for this species.

The colour of the body is dull grey with irregular darker markings, like stains, on the back, there is a golden-yellow horizontal stripe along the flanks and the lateral line is silver.

[1] It is a demersal fish found at depths down to 40 m (130 ft) and lives in freshwaters, brackish waters and marine areas.

[2] Johnius carutta is of minor importance to fisheries and the catch is sold fresh or salted.