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Black
DrumFamily Sciaenidae, DRUMS
Pogonias cromis
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Description: high arched back; 10 to
14 pairs of chin barbels; gray or black colored body
in adults; young have 4 to 6 vertical bars; has
cobblestone-like teeth capable of crushing oysters;
scales large.
Similar Fish: the
vertical bars on juvenile black drum are somewhat
similar to those on sheepshead, Archosargus
probatocephalus; spadefish, Chaetodipterus faber;
red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus.
Where found: INSHORE fish common to bays and
lagoons; bottom dweller often found around oyster
beds; also OFFSHORE.
Size: common to 30 pounds.
Are being caught over 100 lbs.
Remarks: largest member of the drum family; spawns
NEARSHORE in winter and early spring; feeds on
oysters, mussels, crabs, shrimp and occasionally
fish; longevity to 35 or more years. |
