Credit: Illustration by Diane Rome Peebles
Family Sciaenidae
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: red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus; the
vertical bars on juvenile black drum are somewhat similar to those on
sheepshead, Archosargus probatocephalus; and spadefish, Chaetodipterus
faber
Where found: inshore fish common to bays and lagoons;
bottom dweller often found around oyster beds; also offshore
Size:
common to 30 pounds
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
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