Ten polymorphic microsatellite loci were identified and characterized from 22 individuals of Terapon jarbua (Forsskål, 1775) from Socotra Island (Gulf of Aden, Yemen). Microsatellite polymorphism was tested, revealing 4 to 19 alleles per locus. The observed heterozygosity values ranged from 0.318 to 0.909. Nine loci out of ten conformed to Hardy-Weinberg proportions. They did not show evidence for null alleles and gametic disequilibrium. These loci will be used in an ongoing study of the population structure of this species; associated with a study assessing habitat connectivity based on otolith microchemistry of T. jarbua. Results are expected to inform estuarine conservation efforts on Socotra Island and in the Gulf of Aden region. The full text article is available here: http://tomato.bio.trinity.edu/manuscripts/11-2/mer-10-0447.pdf