Drum Fish

The drum fish lives up to its rather literal name by emitting a very loud, repetitive, throbbing noise that aids in communication with other animals.

This fish is mostly endemic to saltwater seas and oceans, but a few species reside exclusively in freshwater rivers and lakes as well. They are a very popular type of fish for both recreational and commercial purposes.

3 Incredible Facts

• Drum fish are also called drums or croakers because of the sound they make with their swim bladders.
• The drum fish is a regular sight at many aquariums around the world.
• Some species have whiskered barbels, like catfish, for sensing the surrounding environment.

Classification and Scientific Name

The drum fish is a member of the Family Sciaenidae, which derives from “sciaena,” the Latin name for the sea fish. (Sciaena is also the name of a specific genus within Sciaenidae.)

The entire family belongs to the order of ray-finned fish called Perciformes, which features the familiar perch, sunfish, groupers, and snappers. It is the largest order of vertebrates in the world. However, there is some debate about the classification, with some biologists placing the drum fish in the Order Acanthuriformes.

Species

The family of drum fish includes approximately 275 (and perhaps as many as 300) species, depending on who’s counting. Here is just a small sample of them:

• Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus): Also known as the channel bass, this species is endemic to the Atlantic Ocean between Massachusetts and the Gulf of Mexico. Although red and white in color, it also has a black mark on the tail.
• California corbina (Menticirrhus undulatus): Also known as the California kingcroaker or kingfish, this species actually lacks the swim bladder with which it can make a croaking sound.
• Common Weakfish (Cynoscion regalis): Known by the Native American name of Squeteague, this endangered species inhabits the Atlantic Ocean along the East Coast of the United States. Other species of weakfish include the smooth weakfish, smalltooth weakfish, and smallscale weakfish, all of which are listed as least concern.
• Totuava (Totoaba macdonaldi): The totuava or the totoaba is the largest species of drum fish in the world. This rare species lives in the Gulf of California near Mexico.
• Freshwater Drum (Aplodinotus grunniens): This is the only drum fish species in North America (stretching from the Hudson Bay to Guatemala) that lives in freshwater rivers or lakes for its entire lifespan.

Appearance

The drum fish is a rather standard-looking, ray-finned fish with a long and rounded body, a groove or notch between the rays and spine, and two dorsal fins running along the back. Most drum fish have a small mouth, jaw, and teeth, but a few select species are specialized with a larger mouth, a jutting jaw, and sharp canine teeth. Silver is the dominant color, but many other species come in all manner of red, brown, black, and white.

By far the most important and distinguishing characteristic of this family is the presence of a large muscle attached to the swimming bladder. When it moves this muscle, the fish can greatly amplify sound, creating the loud croaking or cracking noise for which it’s named. This sound serves the purpose of attracting mates in the breeding season, which means that in some species, this ability appears only in the males.

In other species, the drum sound also serves a secondary purpose as a warning or location call throughout the entire year. Each species can be identified by the unique sound of its “vocalization.” Although this is considered to be the defining feature of the drum fish, some species, such as the aforementioned California corbina, lack the ability entirely.

The drum fish comes in a variety of different sizes, but usually measures no more than a few feet in length and up to 60 pounds. The largest species is the truly gigantic 225-pound totoaba of the Gulf of California. Saltwater fish tend to be larger than freshwater fish.

Distribution, Population, and Habitat

The drum fish is endemic to both tropical and temperate saltwater regions around the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. The most preferred locations are the bays and estuaries near the coast. A few species inhabit freshwater lakes and rivers either partially or exclusively throughout the year. Population numbers vary by species. One of the most common species, the red drum, appears to be in stable and good health despite its popularity in commercial fishing. Most species are of least concern to conservationists, but not every species is so lucky. The aforementioned totuava is classified as Vulnerable.

Predators and Prey

Predators of the drum fish include large fish, sea birds, and humans. The drum fish is sometimes threatened with overfishing, poaching, and habitat loss from dams and the diversion of water.

The drum fish is a bottom-dwelling fish that feeds on crustaceans, mussels, insects, and other fish along the sea, river, or lake floor. The large canine teeth of some species can help them crunch through the tough exterior of crabs and other shelled prey.

Reproduction and Lifespan

Many aspects of drum fish reproduction, including spawning season and gestation period, vary by species. The most common breeding season takes place during the summer or fall months in shallow waters. The male uses its unique vocalization to attract a suitable mate. After copulating, the female can lay thousands or sometimes even millions of eggs at one time. The male then fertilizes the eggs with his sperm.

The young larvae emerge from the eggs within a matter of days, measuring no more than a few millimeters in size, and they develop into mature individuals within a few years of life. The life expectancy varies by species. The average life of the freshwater drum is six to 13 years, but some saltwater species can survive up to 50 years in the wild. More extreme ages have been documented as well.

Fishing and Cooking

The drum fish is a common catch for both commercial and recreational purposes. Recreational fishers can find these fish around the surf or pier. Commercial fishers catch large numbers in more open waters with a net. According to United Nations statistics, the drum was, at one point, the 25th most caught fish in the world.

The meat of the drum fish is sometimes described as mild and delicate with a slightly sweet taste. The saltwater species are caught and eaten far more often than the freshwater types. In fact, fish connoisseurs often complain that the freshwater drum fish has an inferior taste. The flesh can be baked, boiled, or sautéed, and the subtle taste goes well with a number of different seasonings, herbs, and vegetables.